From reclaimed lumber accessories to collaborative artisan cushions, these upcycled purpose products take the old and hackneyed phrase of "one man's trash is another man's treasure" and make it, well, new.
For some of the organizations featured here, such as Bikeworks, upcycling (or recycling) is simply one part of the story. That is to say, Bikeworks, based in East London sells refurbished bikes to the public but its main service is to run its all-ability cycling program in the city.
One of the smaller but perhaps also larger questions becomes: are upcycled purpose products just a euphemism for recycling? What's the difference in actuality? Is it simply part of a push, perhaps almost green-washing push, in order to "rebrand" recycling? This top list, because of the types of organizations featured, would probably praise the term itself.
38 Upcycled Purpose Products
From Reclaimed Lumber Accessories to Collaborative Artisan Cushions:
Tiana Reid — Jun 13, 2013 — Social Good
38
Eclectic Ethical Fashion
Upcycled 'Adamah Stein' Designs by Artisans in Senegal and Paris
37
Upcycled Trash Furnishings
The Ffrash Garbage Recycling Project Creates Sustainable Production
36
Beneficial Statement Jewelry
October Anniversary Makes Chic and Eye-Catching Altruistic Bijoux
35
Olympic-Themed Artillery Bracelets
Peacebomb Upcycles Shrapnel from Laos into Jewelry
34
Upcycled Fair Trade Fashion
Liz Alig Links Consumers & Producers to Support Ethical Practices
33
Upcycled Biker-Chic Accessories
Leather Girl Kelley Gives Old Rawhide Products New Life
32
Upcycled Nautical Bags
The Boyd Sailcloth Line of Totes are Constructed from Reclaimed Materials
31
Chic Eco-Conscious Kicks
MOVMT Shoes and Accessories are Made With Upcycled Plastic Bags
30
Chic Poverty-Combating Fashion
HALF UNITED Pledges Half of Its Profits to Charitable Causes
29
Community-Made Handicrafts
Rag Tag 'n' Textile Supports Those Recovering from Mental Health Issues
28
Upcycled Rugby Balls
The TOUCH Initiative Recycles Garbage while Creating Jobs
27
Newsworthy Flip Flops
Paper Flops are Made Using Upcycled Newspapers
26
Better Biking Businesses
Bikeworks is a Social Enterprise with Oodles of Responsible Initiatives
25
Upcycled Wooden Audio Gear
LSTN Headphones Benefit Deaf Children in Need
24
School-Supportive Jewelry
SOMO Reinvests Profits Toward Education Fees in Uganda
23
Eco-Conscious Casual Day Dresses
Harper Lei is a Boston-Based Sustainable Fashion Line
22
Reclaimed Lumber Accessories
Wood Thumb Manufactures Ties Made of Upcycled Timber
21
Conscious Online Marketplaces
'Ethical Community' Connects Businesses With Customers Who Care
20
Limited-Edition Upcycled Fashion
Looptworks Uses Second-Hand Material to Create Superior Designs
19
Eco-Friendly Surfboard Bags
RareForm Makes Unique Action Sports Accessories from Billboards
18
Eco-Conscious Designer Denim
Reco Jeans Makes Use of Production Scraps from Factories Worldwide
17
Upcycled Inner-Tube Accessories
Alchemy Goods Creates Bags and Wallets from Recycled Materials
16
Creative Upcycled Festival Sites
Industrius is a Change Engine Transforming Waste in London
15
Refugee-Employing Enterprises
The 'Open Arms Shop' Provides a Living Wage for Women
14
Lavish Upcycled Leather Jackets
Olga Road Turns Old Trench Coats into Sleek New Styles
13
Online Upcycling Innovation Hubs
Trash Backwards is a Community Supporting the Reuse Revolution
12
Ornate Upcycled Arms
Fonderie 47 Funds the Removal of Assault Rifles from African Conflict Zones
11
Upcycling to Fight Poverty
The 'Recycle Not a Waste Initiative' Empowers Ghanian Street Youth
10
Charming For-Good Cafes
The Peace Coffee Shop is in Minneapolis’ Wonderland Park
9
Ann Skydell Harmon, Founder of Ann-Made, LLC (INTERVIEW)
Upcycled Social Cause Jewelry
8
Supercycled Balian Accessories
Bombastic Plastix is a Social Business Creating Good out of Garbage
7
Collaborative Artisan Cushions
Tilonia by Designing Hope is a Stylish and Altruistic Home Line
6
Upcycled T-Shirt Blankets
Project Repat Lets You Literally Wrap Yourself in Memories
5
Upcycled African Fashion
afriCAN is Made by Artisans in South Africa for North America's Market
4
Bamboo Baby Products
Bum Boosa Uses Botanical Ingredients for Eco-Friendlier Goods
3
Leslie Beasley, Co-Founder/Managing Director of The Open Arms Shop (INTERVIEW)
2
Samuel Miller of Bombastic Plastix (INTERVIEW)
Upcycled Goods Made from Balian Plastic Bags
1
Madeleine Shaw, Founder of LunaPads (INTERVIEW)
Creator of the Pads4Girls Initiative
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Fairly Traded Bohemian Bags
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Beneficial Statement Jewelry
October Anniversary Makes Chic and Eye-Catching Altruistic Bijoux
Global Street Art Sneakers
BucketFeet Shoes Support Artists and Empower Children
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Romantic Gothic Garments
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Upcycled Boozey Light Designs
John Meng's Wine Bottle Lamp Series Is Perfectly Contemporary
Principled Children's Fashion
Tiny Revolutionary Creates Kids Tees with Positive Messages
Offbeat Suited Captures
The Pascal Bonvie HERO Magazine Editorial is Sculpturally Chic
Education-Enabling Carryalls
Fly Canvas Bags Benefit Schools for Underprivileged Children
Olympic-Themed Artillery Bracelets
Peacebomb Upcycles Shrapnel from Laos into Jewelry
Equestrian Master Editorials
Miranda Kerr in 'Riding High' for Harper's Bazaar UK August 2012
Patterned Pocket Tees
Serengetee Makes Worldly T-Shirts That Support International Causes
Charitable Lit Tees
Wear Your Favorite Novel with the Out of Print Summer Reads Collection
Learning-Enabling Rucksacks
Purchasing a Stone+Cloth Backpack Provides a Child With an Education
Vibrant Recycled Plastic Seating
'Butter Chair' is DesignbyThem's New Recycled Furniture Product
Clean Air Transportation Alternatives
Greenaer Promotes Electrical Cars and Scooters
Intensely Simulated Editorials
The Singles Korea July 2012 Park Photoshoot Showcases Digital Sets
Preppy Literacy-Promoting Garments
Read’s Clothing Project Benefits Books for Africa
DIY Nonprofit Water Bottles
Aquavation Supports Social Organizations Through Design
Pay-As-You-Go Renewable Energy
Angaza Design Makes Clean Energy Accessible Off the Grid
Sustainable Handwoven Totes
Bundubags is a Line of Bags Made from Recycled Cargostrapping
Beneficent Bijoux
Jewelry for a Cause Supports Charity Fundraising Projects
Equality-Encouraging Tees
Who You Love is a Responsible Brand Supporting LGBT Charities
Handmade Vintage Knapsacks
The Annika Blomberg 'Anschtecka' Backpacks are Distinctively Designed
Debonair Suited Separates
The Burberry Prorsum Resort 2013 Collection is Elegantly Refined
Boisterous Technicolor Editorials
The Vogue Spain 'Million Dollar Baby' Photoshoot is Clamorous
Chic Eco-Conscious Kicks
MOVMT Shoes and Accessories are Made With Upcycled Plastic Bags
Chic Poverty-Combating Fashion
HALF UNITED Pledges Half of Its Profits to Charitable Causes
Ethical and Empowering Accessories
Tukula Provides Opportunity and Hope for Artisans in Uganda
Community-Building Handbags
Della Provides Sustainable Fashion That Supports Communities in Ghana
Aerial City Slicker Editorials
The Vogue US June 2012 Arizona Muse Photoshoot is Airborne
Quirky Recycled Furniture
Nina Tolstrup Creates Decor Pieces from Discarded Odds and Ends
Delicious Munificent Munchies
Rubies in the Rubble Empower Women and Tackle Food Waste with Jams
Sapphire Desert-Based Photoshoots
The Harper's Bazaar Hong Kong Liao Editorial is Barren
Entrepreneurship-Enabling Crafts
Buying a Prosperity Candle Helps Women Refugees Open a Business
Leadership Learning Institutes
The Social Enterprise Academy in Scotland Delivers the Goods
3-in-1 Backpacks
The Bedford Bag is Conveniently Convertible
Graphic Eco-Friendly Skateboards
Bamboo SK8 Manufactures Decks and Longboards from Bamboo
Artist-Supporting Social Enterprises
Art Sumo Offers Paintings from All Over the World
Dashingly Dark Lookbooks
The KURO Fall/Winter 2012 Collection has an Air of Mystery
Health-Promoting Camping Gear
Kammok Sells Hammocks to Provide Mosquito Nets in Africa
Poverty-Focused Innovation Labs
Proximity Designs is a Myanmar-Based Non-Profit Enterprise
Eco-Friendly Philanthropic Flip Flops
Hari Mari Footwear Donates Money to Battle Cancer
Customizable Charity-Driven Accessories
C4 Belts are Socially Conscious and Eco-Friendly
32 Volunteer-Supporting Social Enterprises
From Altruistic Law Firms to Fair Trade Underwear
Empowering H20 Nonprofits
Community Water Solutions Opens Women-Run Businesses in West Africa
Upcycled Wooden Audio Gear
LSTN Headphones Benefit Deaf Children in Need
Fair Trade Statement Jewelry
Raven + Lily Features Collections Benefiting HIV-Positive Women
Philanthropic Online Platforms
UNITE is Working to Enable Impactful Connections Throughout Africa
Charity-Supporting Kicks
GIDEON SHOES are Hand-Crafted in an Anti-Sweatshop Ethical Workplace
Sustainable Baby Products
The Honest Company Offers Eco-Friendly Diapers
Self-Sustaining Social Enterprises
Kinyei Fosters Independent Entrepreneurship in Cambodia
School-Supportive Jewelry
SOMO Reinvests Profits Toward Education Fees in Uganda
Social Good-Fueling Photography
Nuru Project Sells Photojournalistic Prints to Support Non-Profits
Skate Deck Booze Openers
The Designed Good Upcycled Skateboard Bottle Openers are Chic
Forest-Saving Sunglasses
Modo Eyewear Plants A Tree For Every Pair Sold
100 Badass Biker Looks
From Rebellious Junkyard Editorials to Manly Mechanic Ads
Empowering Hygiene Businesses
The Ruby Cup is a Sustainable Personal Product for Women
Eco-Friendly Surfboard Bags
RareForm Makes Unique Action Sports Accessories from Billboards
Donor-Fueled Web Communities
GivingSomeThing is an Online Platform Getting Goods to Nonprofits
Zack Rosenberg, Founder and CEO of DoGoodBuyUs (INTERVIEW)
'Marketplace for Social Good/s'
Upcycled Inner-Tube Accessories
Alchemy Goods Creates Bags and Wallets from Recycled Materials
Creative Upcycled Festival Sites
Industrius is a Change Engine Transforming Waste in London
Ruggedly Elegant Leather Kicks
The Rick Owens Men's Pull On Biker Boots are Bold and Chic
Lavish Upcycled Leather Jackets
Olga Road Turns Old Trench Coats into Sleek New Styles
Water-Providing Clothing Lines
Blu Democracy Helps Supply Drinking Water To Those In Need
Eco-Friendly Luxuries
'Style Will Save Us' Encourages Ethical Business Models
Eco-Chic Nature Gear
Tuita Sells Products from Cooperatives and Socially Responsible Brands
Clever Philanthropic Attire
These Gaggle of Tees Designs Support Important Non-Profit Initiatives
Aid-Providing Designer Handbags
'Amykathryn' Supports At-Risk Women Throughout the World
Youth Development Programs
The Spring Project is a Radical Employment Effort in London
Online Education Charities
Brightside Offers Mentoring and Tutoring on the Web
Social Good Entertainment
Global Good Games Aims to Shift the Video Gaming Paradigm
Artisan-Made Canvas Totes
Mend Empowers Women Affected by Conflict in Uganda
Community Investing Travel
Carpe Diem Travel Gives Profits to Poverty-Sticken Asian Villages
Collaborative Artisan Cushions
Tilonia by Designing Hope is a Stylish and Altruistic Home Line
Holistic Food Experiences
Aya Community Markets is an Organic Nourishment in Dc
Beneficial Online Marketplaces
Buy With Heart Provides Marketing Resources for Social Ventures
Socially Responsible Marketing Solutions
Eighty2degrees is Sustainability-Driven Graphic Design
Non-Profit Collaboration-Enabling Groups
The Taproot Foundation is a Changemaking Organization
Supply Chain Integrating Loans
Kinara Capital is a Social Enterprise Supporting Startups in India
Socially Conscious Newborn Fashion
Rockin Baby Benefits Haitian Mothers with "One-for-One" Slings
Rehabilitative Dairy Farms
La Fageda Offers Employment as Well as Support for the Disabled
Alternative Micro-Investment Platforms
InVenture Helps Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries
Low-Income Microfinance Associations
RADIM Works in Buenos Aires to Support Economic Development
Human Development Non-Profits
Dreaming Out Loud Fosters Impact-Driven Social Enterprises in DC
Altruism-Enabling Platforms
Eclectic Productions is a UK Social Enterprise With Inspiring Projects
Eco-Friendly Gift Boutiques
90210 Organics Offers Earth-Conscious Products
Socially Responsible Smartphone Donations
The 'Oven Bits Instead' App Promotes Giving to Charity
Community-Driven Agencies
The Burton Street Foundation Enhances the Quality of Life in Sheffield
Discounted Organic Food Collectives
The Green Polkadot Box Provides Healthy Food for Cheap
Green Java Distributors
Sustainable Harvest Coffee Importers Helps Farmers Succeed
Youth Innovation Mentorships
Startup Corps Engages Students in Social Enterprise in Philadelphia
Altruistic Aromatic Decor
Chilanthropy Candles are Both Relaxing and Philanthropic
For-Profit Social Bus Services
HCT Group is a UK Transportation-Providing Beneficial Business
Samuel Miller of Bombastic Plastix (INTERVIEW)
Upcycled Goods Made from Balian Plastic Bags
Crowdsourced Peace-Promoting Anthems
Peace Mix UK is Creating a Unique Musical Opportunity
Impact-Driven Cookstove Designers
Prakti Design Produces Innovative Cookstoves for the Poor
Non-Profit Housekeeping Services
Clean Close Company Provides Jobs For The Unemployed
Transportation Industry-Sustaining Loans
Own Your Own Boda Serves Taxi Drivers in Uganda