downcyclingn.
/ˈdaʊnˌsʌɪklɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈdaʊnˌsaɪk(ə)lɪŋ/ The operation or process of reusing waste materials to create a product of lower value or quality; an instance of this. Cf. upcycling n.
ΚΠ
1991 Calgary Herald 28 Oct. (Letter section) a5/4 Recycling is not yet happening, may not be economical, will still consume more energy and raw materials than re-using and is not recycling to more juice boxes, but only down-cycling to park benches.
1994 R. Steinhilper in Design for Manufacturability 67 75 Recycling in many cases means ‘downcycling’—in particular cases, however, it can also mean ‘upcycling’.
2006 A. Steffen et al. Worldchanging (2008) 118/2 Scrap doesn't confer any worth—there's a downcycling that goes on, a loss of value.
2012 Observer 22 Jan. (Mag.) 47/2 Some chemists have concerns about turning high-grade paper into toilet tissue (downcycling).
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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