What is downcycling?

Downcycling refers specifically to the practice of recycling materials into products of lesser quality or reduced utility compared to the original material. This often occurs because the recycling process can degrade the physical and chemical properties of the material, making it less suitable for high-end applications.

For example, when plastics are downcycled, they may be turned into items like parking lot benches or insulation materials rather than being repurposed for new plastic containers or high-quality products. This process helps reduce waste, but because the resultant product is of lower quality, it may not have the same lifecycle value as the original material.

Downcycling is an essential concept in the recycling and sustainability discussion, as it acknowledges that not all recycling efforts yield equal outcomes regarding material quality. This contrasts with practices like fully recycling materials back into high-quality products or returning them to their original state, which would involve maintaining or enhancing material quality.