When it comes to jewellery, there may be a variety of reasons why you are considering getting rid of some pieces. Perhaps the items you previously bought did not stand the test of time and are no longer fashionable or maybe your style has simply evolved over time. For many, spring is a popular time to clean out the home environment of things you don’t wear anymore. While we love a good clean out, how you dispose of your items is something we all should take into consideration as many of these items end up in landfills.  

In this month's blog, we’re sharing the different ways you can recycle or upcycle your old jewellery. 

The Environmental Impact 

When it comes to disposing of jewellery we no longer feel serves a purpose, for many, the first instinct may be to simply throw it away. However, the reality of this is that jewellery is not biodegradable, will find it's way into landfill and will most likely stay there forever. Over time people have become increasingly concerned about the environment and are actively looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint through recycling. Even though some items can easily be recycled such as bottles, it can be hard to divert them from stockpiling in landfills. Luckily there are a few options you can consider when it comes to your old jewellery. This could be an opportunity for you to get creative and revamp your items or get informed about how to properly dispose of your jewellery. You can read more about the environmental impact of costume jewellery in our previously blog Vintage Jewellery & Sustainability.

Recycling VS Upcycling 

Recycling 

You might be more familiar with the term recycling, the process of turning waste into new products, but how does this apply to jewellery? If your jewellery is made from quality materials such as gold, the recycling process is a little different. This type of jewellery can be taken into a workshop where they tend to melt down the gold and reused into new jewellery. It is either refurbished and sold, broken down to use for other repairs, or sent to be smelted and used in the industry. 

Upcycling 

Unlike recycling, upcycling your old jewellery is a creative alternative where instead of throwing the item away that is an outdated reflection of your past style, you revamp it to reflect you in the present. Upcycling aims to reuse a product so that it has a longer lifespan before it gets discarded as waste. With a growing demand of sustainable fashion, upcycling is a way to create a unique piece that is kind to the environment. 

Repurposing 

Another great option is repurposing your jewellery. How is repurposing different to recycling and upcycling you may ask? Well, the process of repurposing transforms your sentimental pieces by giving them another life without breaking down the product. Here are some examples of work we repurposed for some customers.