The upcycling trend begins to take hold in Lebanon

“From trash to treasure” is the mantra often cited by upcyclers, or those who use would-be waste to create something new. Upcycling endeavors in Lebanon have multiplied in the last two years with entrepreneurs using materials such as plastic bags, old newspapers and magazines, and cloth to make products such as jewelry, bags, and decorations. While the actual environmental impact of most small-scale initiatives is negligible, where the growing coalition of Lebanese upcyclers say they succeed is in raising awareness of alternative and more environmentally friendly products, promoting waste reduction, and encouraging producers to transition to offering greener products.  Lebanon has an excess of garbage, awareness of which was exacerbated by the 2015 crisis, meaning there is a plethora of materials for existing and potential upcyclers to work with. But this massive excess also makes it harder for an individual to make a substantial impact. World Bank data estimates that