The word “upcycling” may still sound unfamiliar to some since we are used to the term “recycling”. Although the two words may sound similar, they hold different meanings! Recycling means repurposing, and involving the destruction of waste in order to create something new, whereas upcycling is about re-valuing, where waste material or products are reused and renovated to give it a new purpose for a greater value. 

Now, why do we, as a society, need to consider upcycling as something important? Because believe it or not, the fashion industry makes up 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions, it also dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers and streams. Additionally, 85% of all textiles go to waste each year. And when we wash some types of clothes, it would send some quite amount of microplastics into our ocean.  

So, we have listed 3 things about why it is crucial for us to start upcycling: 

1. Minimal Use of Natural Resources 

Because upcycling uses existing resources, that means we don’t have to use any new raw materials in the production process. An interesting fact, it actually takes 2,700 liters to produce the cotton needed to make a single t-shirt! So, to stop wasting our natural resources, it would be extremely helpful to the environment when we use our own old items to create new ones.  

2. Not contributing to textile waste 

Globally, about 80% of all clothes end up in landfills to decompose or be incinerated. But when we upcycle, we automatically reduce textile waste because we would give a new life to the old garments. By adding value to waste materials, it saves a good amount of resources. So, instead of letting your old clothes go to waste and pile up in landfills, do consider upcycling them to create something new and fun! 

3. Supports local businesses and organizations 

You may have a pile of old clothes in your bedroom untouched, if you are confused about what to do with them, consider donating them to an organization that upcycles fashion! This time, MODENA teams up with Setali to give new life to old garments. In our “Re-Styling the Future” campaign, your old clothes will be recreated as useful items such as masks, aprons, bags, and many other things. This movement could empower local communities that work as tailors or seamstresses as well! 

If you are interested in donating your clothes, here are the steps to donate: 

1. Sort out the clothes you want to donate  

2. Donations can be in the form of clothes or accessories made from cloth  

3. If you donate clothes that are not fit for use, cut the clothes into several pieces  

4. Customers can drop their used clothes to the drop boxes provided at the MODENA showrooms and outlets below:  

    -MODENA Experience Center Suryo 

    -MODENA Experience Center Satrio  

    -MODENA Experience Center Kemang  

    -MODENA Home Center Pantai Indah Kapuk  

    -MODENA Home Center Kelapa Gading 

For more information, continue to follow our official Instagram at @modenaindonesia. Or visit the MODENA website at www.modena.com.