Understanding and measuring value and quality of upcycling with fuzzy linguistic approach

As an alternative to the current linear economy of take, make, use and dispose, a circular economy based on (almost infinite) resource circulation or reutilisation in a closed-loop system has emerged for overall reduction in negative environmental impact and economic growth. Upcycling is one promising approach to resource reutilisation and incorporates multiple practices in the circular economy. It is a process of keeping or enhancing the value or quality of the used or waste materials, components or products. Many varied definitions of upcycling often use the terms, value or quality or both. How exactly such value and quality should be understood or have been understood in the context of upcycling has not yet been fully studied. This chapter suggests one potential theoretical framework to understand upcycling in relation to perceived quality and value, and proposes its possible application to empirical research utilising fuzzy linguistic approach.