It's the first time I've heard it. What bugs you about it? - Ginger Makela Riker

@Ginger, I dunno...It implies that objects have been lifted into another kind of worth status - that by taking a Capri Sun juice pouch and making it into a purse it's way cooler or something. It's the same as "recycling" or "reusing" or plain ol' being crafty, but with a catchy hipster, eco-phrase attached. - JoEllen

Never heard it used that way: that sounds obnoxious. I guess because of my background in IT, I immediately thought of bringing a server back up. - Mark Trapp

I had never heard of it my self until just now. At the risk of sounding like a contrarian I kind of like it though. I am not going to upcycle the word recycle from my lexicon in favor of it though. @Mark I thought the same thing heh. - Geoff Schultz

I see what you mean about the trendy phrasing and perceived value. - Ginger Makela Riker

Us lame folks just call it "re-purposing" - ax0n

example that is lame: using a cool soda bottle as a vase = upcycling. No doubt there are companies that do cool things like the Samsung Blue Earth phone (body of phone made from recycled plastic bottles + solar panel charger) or the hi-tech sleeping bags and fabric made from old bottles or bags - but simply using it in a different way doesn't count or make it any more valuable. - JoEllen

I thought choosing products based on what you can do with the packaging/etc. later, was called precycling. - April Russo (app103)