Upcycling...
Taressa George
...is the term used for taking an item that is used or considered ordinary and making something new and useful from it. The term was coined in 1994 relating to the practice of not wasting potentially usefull materials. In Haiti, an example of upcycling is steel drum art. It is a unique art form recognized worldwide utilizing 55 gallon metal oil drums which have been cleaned, sometimes flattened, hand tooled and soldered. Thus artisans can create decorative pieces of art of environmental value.
For example, this Rustic Iron Patio Firepit is made from these 55 gallon drums with a hand tooled eternity circle design on the side. A recycled, repurposed, handmade product which also gives back a portion of the proceeds to Sister Clara's Clinic in Haiti.