This is an invitation for dedicated upcycling practitioners to join this portal's Founding Members group. See below for more information about what this entails and learn about our hopes and dreams for this site.

About the Upcycling Portal

Upcycling: Transforming the Concept of Waste

Upcycling is the practice of converting waste materials into products of greater value. For many upcyclers, it is a way to create works of art and useful household tools, or an innovative method of generating income. More important, however, upcycling is a philosophy that transforms waste into an asset—one that is present in abundance in our communities.

What is the Upcycling Portal?

The Upycling Portal is an online learning space that invites upcycling practitioners to work together to advance our collective knowledge about how to transform waste into an asset. The portal features photo galleries, articles, blogs, links and videos illustrating upcycling practices and our shifting attitudes toward waste. It is hosted in ManyOne, a web-based platform that enables values-conscious people and organizations to connect, collaborate and build virtual communities. The portal was started by The Berkana Institute, a non-profit organization that works in partnership with a rich diversity of people around the world who strengthen their communities by working with the wisdom and wealth already present in their people, traditions and environment.

Why an Upcycling Portal?

Despite current ads and slogans, the world doesn’t change one person at a time. It changes as networks of relationships form among people who discover they share a common cause and vision of what’s possible. Through these relationships, we develop the knowledge, practices, courage and commitment that lead to broad-based change.  While upcycling is hardly a household term, there are already many practitioners around the world. When we connect diverse upcycling practices in a conceptual framework, seemingly isolated actions become the expression of a coherent worldview. Our purpose is to create a rich learning space for exchanging ideas, sharing stories, developing new partnerships and inviting others into the practice. 

Our Invitation

We invite you to become a Founding Member of the Upcycling Portal. The group consists of individuals with a passion for upcycling and a desire to share the practice with others. We will generate content, foster connections between users, evolve portal functionality and spread the word to friends and fellow practitioners. By saying yes to this invitation you will help shape and influence the burgeoning upcycling movement. Agreements we ask Founding Members to commit to between June 2009 and May 2010 include:

·         Join the Upcycling Portal

·         Make a posting on the Upcycling Portal at least once a month

·         Share Upcycling Portal with 5 people per month (in person, e-mail, blogs, websites)

·         Participate in 4 phone calls throughout the year to check-in on vision and direction

E-mail Aerin Dunford to learn more about becoming a Founding Member: aerin@berkana.org

This is an invitation for dedicated upcycling practitioners to join this portal's Founding Members group. See below for more information about what this entails and learn about our hopes and dreams for this site.

About the Upcycling Portal

Upcycling: Transforming the Concept of Waste

Upcycling is the practice of converting waste materials into products of greater value. For many upcyclers, it is a way to create works of art and useful household tools, or an innovative method of generating income. More important, however, upcycling is a philosophy that transforms waste into an asset—one that is present in abundance in our communities.

What is the Upcycling Portal?

The Upycling Portal is an online learning space that invites upcycling practitioners to work together to advance our collective knowledge about how to transform waste into an asset. The portal features photo galleries, articles, blogs, links and videos illustrating upcycling practices and our shifting attitudes toward waste. It is hosted in ManyOne, a web-based platform that enables values-conscious people and organizations to connect, collaborate and build virtual communities. The portal was started by The Berkana Institute, a non-profit organization that works in partnership with a rich diversity of people around the world who strengthen their communities by working with the wisdom and wealth already present in their people, traditions and environment.

Why an Upcycling Portal?

Despite current ads and slogans, the world doesn’t change one person at a time. It changes as networks of relationships form among people who discover they share a common cause and vision of what’s possible. Through these relationships, we develop the knowledge, practices, courage and commitment that lead to broad-based change.  While upcycling is hardly a household term, there are already many practitioners around the world. When we connect diverse upcycling practices in a conceptual framework, seemingly isolated actions become the expression of a coherent worldview. Our purpose is to create a rich learning space for exchanging ideas, sharing stories, developing new partnerships and inviting others into the practice. 

Our Invitation

We invite you to become a Founding Member of the Upcycling Portal. The group consists of individuals with a passion for upcycling and a desire to share the practice with others. We will generate content, foster connections between users, evolve portal functionality and spread the word to friends and fellow practitioners. By saying yes to this invitation you will help shape and influence the burgeoning upcycling movement. Agreements we ask Founding Members to commit to between June 2009 and May 2010 include:

·         Join the Upcycling Portal

·         Make a posting on the Upcycling Portal at least once a month

·         Share Upcycling Portal with 5 people per month (in person, e-mail, blogs, websites)

·         Participate in 4 phone calls throughout the year to check-in on vision and direction

E-mail Aerin Dunford to learn more about becoming a Founding Member: aerin@berkana.org