Mexico Upcycles Charmingly Out of Necessity

Businesses and locals in Playa del Carmen, Mexico are crafty. I mean impressively crafty.

A bar made from reclaimed wood and lights made from reclaimed glass.
(Photo/Kendra Yost)

Locals reuse ordinary objects in a number of ways by recycling or upcycling by mixing fashion and frugalness.

A mug acts as a lighting cover. (Photo/Kendra Yost)

Why the process of upcycling may come easier for a more creative person, the idea is to take disposable items and create something useful from them. The more imaginative the better, I say.

Seashell lighting and chain. (Photo/Kendra Yost)

In Mexico, upcycling is a way of life due to the peoples economic situation. Reusing ordinary items saves money, making it a contributing factor as to why most locals participate.

A beer bottle as an accent light. (Photo/Kendra Yost)

It is fortunate that upcycling is popular in Mexico being that it is more efficient than recycling. Recycling demands more energy through the gathering of materials and lengthy recycling process, but upcycling uses only the person’s energy who is undertaking the refurbishing.