What exactly is Upcycling?

June 16, 2020

While we are no stranger to the term recycling, do we really know what it really means beyond segregating our trash into different coloured bins?

Recycling refers to the process of converting waste into different materials in order to prevent them from going into landfills. Upcycling, on the other hand, takes it one level up by giving an item a new lease of life and increasing its value at the same time. 

Let us introduce the labels from Destination GOOD that are our poster child for upcycling done right: 

 1. Soggy No-More

Our Soggy No-More bags, made from expired life jackets, have been flying off the shelves since we debuted our first pouch in 2018. What makes them even more special is that they are handcrafted by Afghan refugees living in Malaysia. When you carry a Soggy No-More, you are making a statement of your support for sustainable lifestyle choices and for living wages to the craftsmen.

 

2. GOOD/jahat/ 

Good/jahat/ is a collaboration between AirAsia Foundation and Malaysian conceptual design house Projek Jahat to create a line of sustainable high street fashion products that raise the awareness of the importance of making mindful fashion choices. The label’s first collection set the Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2019 ablaze and signature pieces have not only sold out but found their way to prominent owners (Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Al Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and former PM Tun Dr Mahathir no less!) 

Check out the limited handcrafted pieces of GOOD/jahat/ leather cuffs and bracelets are now available at Destination GOOD.

3. Phinix

Social entrepreneur Pamela...founded her label as a way to address the issue of fashion waste and to create awareness that our taste for fast fashion has made the industry the second-largest polluter in the world. Phinix’s signature collection comprises a range of footwear and bags beautifully crafted from vintage kimono fabrics. Get your matching set now at destinationgood.com.

 

4. Rags2Riches

Rags2Riches continues to make waves as a chic bags and accessories label more than a decade after launching their ground-breaking collection in collaboration with Filipino designer Rajo Laurel. Sourcing leftover fabrics from garment factories, R2R’s team of designers work with home-based artisans to weave its signature panels together with indigenous fabrics to create one-of-a-kind specials. Not only are they cutting down landfill waste, they are also providing a modern twist on indigenous fabrics use, thereby preserving tradition and creating livelihoods. 

5. APE Malaysia

On the topic of nature, who can forget our majestic fauna? APE Malaysia is a local social enterprise that repurposes old fire hoses and AirAsia seat belts to create enrichment tools for wildlife rehabilitation centres and zoos for free. To help fund the programme, you can now purchase a snack pocket or tug toy for your dog and cat.