What does the term "downcycle" refer to in sustainability?

The term "downcycle" in sustainability refers to the degradation of materials leading to lower quality products. When materials are downcycled, they are transformed into products of lesser quality or functionality compared to their original form. This often occurs in recycling processes where the materials lose some of their desirable properties and cannot be used to create the same high-quality products as before.

This concept is important in the context of sustainability because downcycling can limit the lifespan of materials, preventing them from being reused at their highest potential and ultimately contributing to increased waste. In contrast, upcycling, which is not described here, involves reusing materials in a way that adds value, creating products that are of equal or greater quality than the original materials. Understanding downcycling helps in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of recycling systems and in exploring better material management strategies in sustainable practices.