CycleUp Textiles and the Circular Economy
CycleUp Textiles is a circular economy social enterprise. But what does that mean?

What is the Circular Economy?
The circular economy aims to reduce waste and extend the life of products, and at CycleUp, we focus on keeping textiles in use for as long as possible. Our first step is to sell items through the RWN charity shop, giving them a second chance to be reused.
Any items that can’t be sold—whether due to damage, stains, or simply not selling after a certain period—are carefully deconstructed by our upcycling team. These materials are then transformed into new, durable products that will continue to serve a purpose.
Our goal is to reduce textile waste going to landfill by finding meaningful ways to reuse and repurpose materials, helping to create a more sustainable future.

How We Make Our Upcycled Products
Following the principles of the circular economy, we begin by reusing textiles that can no longer be sold. These items, often damaged or unsold, are given a second life through our upcycling process.
The first step is deconstructing the materials carefully to preserve as much of the original fabric as possible. We save everything—from buttons to zips—so nothing goes to waste.
Next, we design each product based on the material’s type, size, and shape. Strong, durable fabrics are used for our tote bags, while lighter materials are perfect for our shopper bags and wreaths. This process ensures that every product is one-of-a-kind, and it allows our team to bring their creativity to life with each new item.
All products are handmade in Athleague, Co. Roscommon, Ireland, and undergo a quality check before being sold in our shop, online, or at markets.
