Inspiration

WHAT IS UPCYCLING AND HOW IS IT GOOD FOR THE PLANET?

Have you ever thought that refreshing and restoring the furniture you already own – or locally bought second-hand furniture – might dramatically reduce your carbon footprint?

Annie Sloan Garden Chair in Greek Blue and Old White Chalk Paint Surrounded by Flowers
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Garden Step Ladder and Flower Pots

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), furniture waste generated by Americans in 2017 totaled a staggering 12.2 million tonnes, and 80.2% of it went to landfill. The agency also found that only 0.3% of the furniture waste that was sent to landfill was recovered for recycling (Source: here).

This is where upcycling comes in.

What is upcycling?

Upcycling is the process of renovating, updating, repainting or otherwise improving an existing piece of furniture. In the past, upcycling was standard practice as furniture was made well and lasted for years. Sadly, mass production has led to proliferation of poorly made furniture that has been created with bad quality materials to low standards.

You’ll notice furniture in charity shops tends to be from before the 80s, simply because the 90s and 00s saw the furniture industry transform in the same way fast-fashion clothing companies are transforming now. Cheap, poorly-made, mass-produced furniture simply doesn’t have a long shelf life (if you’ll excuse the pun).

Upcycling is good for the planet and good for your wallet.

How is upcycling good for the planet?

Upcycling is good for the planet in a number of ways. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle is an environmentalist’s motto. Reduce what we buy new, Reuse what we already have, and Recycle at the end of a product’s lifecycle. This avoids deforestation, not to mention the use of energy and the emission of greenhouse gases produced during the manufacturing and delivery process of new furniture. In this way, it slows the constantly turning cogs of industrialisation. It’s also good for your wallet; repainting existing furniture to match new interior schemes, or to hide cosmetic wear and tear is much cheaper than buying brand new to replace perfectly serviceable kitchen cabinets, shelving units, dining tables, and whatever other pieces you may have at home.

What’s the difference between upcycling and recycling?

Upcycling should come before recycling. Recycling is what should happen at the very end of a product’s lifecycle. For example, when clothes can no longer be darned – or repurposed as painting outfits! – this is when they should be recycled and turned into something brand new.

Annie Sloan Outdoor Dining Table and Chairs Painted in English Yellow and Gloss Lacquer
Annie Sloan Sunroom Chalk Paint in Arles, Burgundy and Emperor's Silk

Which paint from the Annie Sloan range is best for upcycling furniture?

All Annie Sloan paints – Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®, Annie Sloan Satin Paint, and Annie Sloan Wall Paint – are water based, toy-safe, and contain low amounts of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). This makes them less damaging to the planet than other paints.

Chalk Paint® can be used on almost every surface; melamine, laminate, and plastics included. It’s suitable for use outdoors and indoors, on flooring and on fabrics. Apply Chalk Paint® Wax or Lacquer after painting to protect. You can repaint over Chalk Paint® that has been waxed without any further preparation. Browse our range of Chalk Paint® colours by clicking here.

If the furniture you wish to paint is metal or wood (and is going to live indoors) you may prefer to use Annie Sloan Satin Paint as this will not require Chalk Paint® Wax or Lacquer to protect. You can browse our range of Satin Paint here.

Shop

Featured Products

Annie Sloan Garden Chair in Greek Blue and Old White Chalk Paint Surrounded by Flowers
Example swatch of Annie Sloan's Greek Blue paint

Greek Blue

Shop Product
Annie Sloan Paint Swatch Old White

Old White

Shop Product
Annie Sloan Paint Swatch English Yellow

English Yellow

Shop Product

The Chalk Paint® Colour Card

Shop Product
Annie Sloan Tin Opener and packaging

Annie Sloan Tin Opener

Shop Product

Shop

Browse

Chalk Paint

About
Shop