Downcycling means we recycle an existing material into a new material or product of lower quality or function than its original use. Often, textile recycling results in lower functionality than its original use, such as fabrics becoming upholstery or nonwoven.
Even if we downcycle the existing material into a lower-value product, downcycling is an important part of respectfully and sustainably utilising the Earth’s resource extraction.
The opposite of downcycling is upcycling.
Source
Clean Robotics – Downcycling and upcycling explained 
November 2023, TÄNKOM | Revised March 2024 RETHINK
