Upcycling = reprocessing byproduct materials (what some call ‘waste’) into more durable, longer lasting materials or items that are at least one step *farther* from the landfill, while downcycling involves processing them into lower quality, shorter life materials that are at least one step closer. E.g., recycling paper into a reusable box = upcycling while recycling into toilet paper = downcycling (unless you have a composting toilet and make soil to grow stuff, ideal).

TerraCycle is a large company that calls its methods upcycling, but much is just reuse or recycling pre-consumer waste (waste that should never happen if companies are planning well) into materials like gift wrap that will likely hit the landfill after use. They make cool tote bags and stuff from packaging collected from consumers but how many tote bags does one need?