Sustainability

The main objective of Upcycle is to bring to the homes of people like you and me, a sustainability solution related to something we all use to live: furniture.

Circular economy model

We do this based on the circular economy model.

The circular economy is a production and consumption model through which the useful life of products is extended since it involves actions such as sharing, renting, reusing, repairing, renewing and recycling existing materials and products as many times as possible to create added value [1] .

In particular, we create the space so that together we can encourage the consumption of furniture that has already had a previous life to extend its useful life instead of consuming new furniture that has greater negative impacts on the environment.

Negative environmental impacts of producing new furniture

For the production of new furniture, the first thing required is raw material, the extraction and processing of which in itself implies an activity with important consequences for the environment. Subsequently, there is the negative impact that is caused during the production and manufacturing themselves (use of electrical energy, water, generation of emissions into the atmosphere, etc.).

Once the furniture is produced, an additional impact is generated when transporting and distributing it from the factory to its final point of sale. This is where consumers come in and, when purchasing them, trigger the last impact before the furniture is discarded: the packaging and transportation of the furniture to their homes. Of course, the negative footprint of transportation is even greater when we talk about furniture manufactured in countries other than the buyer's [2].

Upcycle's positive approach

Given the negative aspect of all this, at Upcycle we want to focus on the positive actions we can take together and instead, create a positive impact for the world around us and our society.

We do this by promoting the purchase of second-hand furniture that deserves a new opportunity and whose impact is reduced to that generated during transportation from the seller's home to the buyer's home.

We want to create a culture change where this is the new norm and we give longer life to things that deserve it at a reduced price.

Social impact

Furthermore, if the client wishes, we also propose a solution that contributes to our society, making available authorized donors who we will make very happy with a piece of furniture that has to leave our life in an emergency that complicates its sale.

We want to expand our square meters of positive impact so that they are the square meters of your home too!

[1] European Parliament, “Circular economy: definition, importance and benefits”, May 24, 2023, available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/es/article/20151201STO05603/economia-circular- definition-importance-and-benefits

[2] Available at: https://librairie.ademe.fr/consommer-autrement/3998-mobilier-impacts-environnementaux-et-labels.html