Word Moment

Have you ever wondered how new words come into our vocabulary and how that occurs? I certainly have and in the May-June Utne Magazine I discovered a short bit that gave a clue.

William McDonough and Michael Braungart did just that in their book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things (North Point Press), 2003. The word they coined is 'upcycling' which is the practice of recycling waste materials for use in higher-value products, such as turning beer bottles into building materials, or old lumber into furniture. It is explained that this differs from recycling which turns waste back into the same product over and over.

The London Observer of January, 2006 says upcycling is a promising way to reduce packaging waste. Where is our country on this type of activity. Write, call, email your representatives and suggest we get moving toward a self sustaining planet.