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The POLYWOOD team is filled with talented individuals dedicated to protecting our planet—on and off the clock. To prove it, we invited our employees to share their backyard upcycling and repurposing projects and were blown away by the abundance of creativity and passion that came our way.

Around 21% of U.S. adults regularly upcycle (Kunst, 2022). Our team’s projects reflect this broader trend while also aligning with POLYWOOD's zero-waste philosophy. Their efforts to transform everyday items into something new mirror how we create sustainable furniture from reusable materials, further reinforcing our commitment to reducing waste.

We’ve compiled their clever creations below and included upcycling information so you can learn about this worthwhile topic. Keep reading, and prepare to be inspired.

Gratification in Stratification

Submitted by Lisa F., Senior Outbound Marketing Manager
A few winters ago, Lisa chose to flex her green thumb by turning old plastic milk jugs into miniature greenhouses—and she’s still reaping the rewards.

All it took to prep her project was milk jugs, soil, seeds, and a little tape. Then, she set them outside during the winter so the cold temperatures could jump-start germination. Come spring, she had plenty of ready-to-plant seedlings.

"It's a great winter garden activity," Lisa said. "As you can see, you get a ton of plants, and I'm still enjoying the perennials years later!"

Four milk jugs with the tops cut off sit in a garden. Each is filled with soil and seedlings.

Photo credit: Lisa F.

Truck Transformation

Submitted by Shawn S., Product Engineer
Instead of sending his old Chevy S-10 to the junkyard, Shawn transformed parts of it into a backyard bench.

Plenty of power tools and elbow grease went into this upcycled undertaking. He cut, drilled, and welded his way through the project, and added one final touch.

"A Mexican blanket was used to bring it all together and make it look a little more cozy," Shawn said.

Outside a white house sits an upcycled bench built from the bed of an old truck draped in a striped blanket.

Photo credit: Shawn S.

Upcycled Backyard Update

Submitted by Derek L., IT Project Manager
Derek designed and constructed his own outdoor upgrade, building a gazebin, fire pit area, and she shed from a variety of reclaimed materials that would have otherwise been tossed. He salvaged an old barn roof, leftover shingles, a discarded semi-truck wheel, scrap slate stone, and other items, giving them a second chance to be something beautiful.

So, what’s a gazebin?

“It’s a combination of a gazebo and a grain bin top,” Derek explained. “The grain bin was going to be scrapped. We chose to save the top and use it for a covered fire pit.”

Two upcycled structures: A shed built from reclaimed materials, and a gazebo made from repurposed grain bin parts furnished with POLYWOOD dining chairs.

Photo credit: Derek L.

Broken Glass Art

Submitted by Amy M., Logistics Specialist
Shattered glass can’t be recycled, so Amy turns the pieces into works of art that sparkle in the sunshine. She gathers her materials from various places, such as parking lots, parks, and sidewalks—people even save broken glasses and dishes for her.

For pieces displayed outside, Amy ensures they can withstand the elements by attaching glass bits to sturdy backdrops with waterproof glue.

“I see the pieces I’ve done hung on front doors, windows, and walls,” Amy said proudly.

Three floral art works crafted from pieces of colorful broken glass.

Photo credit: Amy M.

Wheeled Planters

Submitted by Ryan Z., VP of Human Resources
Ryan and his wife gave a vintage bicycle and wagon a charming makeover, transforming them into pretty planters. They attached a wooden crate to the bike’s front and lined the back basket with coir, then filled the wagon bed with potting soil. The final step was planting colorful annuals to bring a bit of whimsy to their outdoor space. The best part? These upcycled planters can be moved around to brighten up any part of their property.

“With the wheels, we can easily move these around the yard if we want to change up the look or pull them into storage during the winter,” Ryan explained.

Two upcycled outdoor planters filled with colorful flowers: one made from a red wagon, and the other built using an old yellow bicycle.

Photo credit: Ryan Z.

Nautical-Inspired Raised Garden

Submitted by Sara C., Shipping Supervisor
Working with her mom and daughter, Sara transformed her old Sea Nymph into a raised garden bed. While the boat is no longer seaworthy, it’s certainly seed-worthy—the ideal vessel for growing herbs, vegetables, and flowers.

“We set it up so in years to come it will look like it’s sailing through the rhubarb and horseradish,” Sara said.

A little girl in a red dress stands in front of an upcycled raised garden bed made from an old boat.

Photo credit: Sara C.

From Playset to Storage Shed

Submitted by Sarah T., Program Manager
When Sarah’s daughters outgrew their playset, she and her husband repurposed its wood and composite lumber, along with reclaimed materials from a friend’s old deck, to build a storage shed. The playset’s lookout tower was a favorite spot for the girls. They spent hours up there with brushes and paint, leaving proof of their happy times coloring the walls.

The girls' artwork was carefully preserved during the build. Now, those creative memories can still be seen each time they open the shed.

"The shed serves as a reminder of their childhood as the floor of the upcycled shed showcases their toddler paint scribbles," Sarah said.

Two images of an upcycled shed: A man building the shed from reclaimed wood, and the shed’s floor covered in colorful paint splatters.

Photo credit: Sarah T.

Turbine Turned Pumpkin

Submitted by Elizabeth M., Sewing Department
Elizabeth got creative with an old roof turbine, sprucing it up to look like a pumpkin. She displays her adorable decor in her yard every autumn. And speaking of adorable, Elizabeth also uses her sewing skills to make memory bears, special stuffed animals crafted from the belongings of loved ones who’ve passed on.

"Any fabric works as long as it has sentimental value: blankets, clothing, tablecloths, and even outdoor pillows," Elizabeth said.

Two images of upcycled items: A roof turbine painted orange to resemble a pumpkin, and a teddy bear sewn from reclaimed fabric.

Photo credit: Elizabeth M.

Vignette-Enhancing Votive

Submitted by Sandi C., Digital Marketing
Instead of recycling her used pizza sauce jars, Sandi saved them and crafted outdoor votives. She uses them to brighten her dining table, light paths and front steps, and set her lounge spaces aglow.

"I love this project because it's super easy and works anywhere outside. The soft glow of the tea lights really sets the mood no matter where I put them," Sandi said.

A glass jar filled with stones and a flameless candle sits on the arm of a red POLYWOOD Classic Oversized Folding Adirondack Chair.

Photo credit: Sandi C.

Clever Outdoor Chandeliers

Submitted by Candy T., Sewing Machine Operator
Looking to elevate her outdoor ambiance, Candy crafted two chandeliers. She made one from an old canning rack and mason jars, while the other was a repurposed chandelier with solar lights replacing the wiring. Now, her charming creations illuminate her backyard after every sunset.

"I wanted to build something unique without buying more stuff, so using upcycled materials was the perfect way to get creative and keep things sustainable,” Candy said. “Plus, it feels good to give old things new life and add a personal touch to my outdoor space."

Two upcycled outdoor chandeliers: one made from an old canning rack and mason jars, the other a repurposed chandelier with solar lights.

Photo credit: Candy T.

Softball Bows

Submitted by Skylar S., Certified CNC Operator
Skylar's family found a fashionable fix for baseballs and softballs that were no longer in usable condition: hair bows! With a bit of ribbon, a sprinkle of glitter, and a dab of hot glue, they created unique, homemade accessories.

"This was a fun project to do with my girls. We spent quality time together making the bows, and it was a great way for them to get creative while learning the value of being resourceful," Skylar said.

Two images of girls sitting on a blue POLYWOOD Wave 3 Piece Adirondack Set with The Ocean Chair. On the left, they chat. On the right, one girl wears a hair bow.

Photo credit: Skylar S.

Halloween-Themed Trellis

Submitted by Israel G., Production Area Lead
Israel took lumber from his backyard garden and transformed it into a spooky and spectacular trellis. His family jokingly named it the “mausoleum,” and placed it at the entrance to their home, inviting trick-or-treaters to come fill their buckets and bags with sweet treats … if they dare.

There are even plans in place for how this newly built trellis will be used in the future.

“In the summer we're planning on moving it to the backyard and planting clematis and morning glories around it,” Israel said.

Two images: a raised garden bed in the process of being dismantled on the right, and a trellis built with reclaimed wood from the garden bed on the left.

Photo credit: Israel G.

Backyard Brick Garden

Submitted by Scott T., Software Engineer
Scott got creative with his backyard garden, repurposing materials from previous projects.

"I built my backyard garden using old wood fence panels from our replaced fence and created the pathway with leftover bricks and pavers I found in the yard,” Scott explained. "They were extras from the construction of the community fence."

Two images of a backyard garden: A wooden raised bed garden is on the top, and a pathway formed with bricks and pavers is on the bottom.

Photo credit: Scott T.

Upcycling vs. Recycling

These two terms may sound similar, but they have very different meanings.

Upcycle

Upcycling is the process of extending the life of unwanted materials by creatively repurposing them into useful, higher-value items.

Examples:

  • Vertical gardens crafted from wooden pallets
  • A mosaic birdbath made from broken ceramic dishes
  • Flower vases using empty wine bottles

Recycle

Recycling is the act of collecting, breaking down, and reprocessing waste materials so they can be used to create new items.

Examples:

  • Discarded HDPE plastic containers used to make genuine POLYWOOD lumber
  • Metals and chemicals from old batteries reused in new batteries or similar products
  • Used clothing and fabrics processed into new textiles or insulation materials

The Upsides of Upcycling

Browse the many benefits of creative reuse.

Reduces Waste and Pollution

While recycling is a valuable practice, the number of recyclable items is limited. In 2018, 292.4 million tons of trash was collected in the U.S. Of that number, only 69.1 million tons, or roughly 23.6%, were recycled. But 146 million tons, a hefty 50%, ended up in landfills (EPA, 2023).

Upcycling can help change these figures by turning non-recyclables into useful items, keeping them out of landfills and waterways. Plus, it offers the 57% of U.S. households that are unable to recycle (due to lack of outreach and communication from local legislation or no access to recycling programs) an alternative way to keep the planet clean (Appel et al., 2024).

Conserves Resources

Creating new items with pre-existing materials allows us to reduce our reliance on renewable resources like wood and cotton, giving them a chance to replenish naturally. It also conserves metals, fossil fuels, and other non-renewable resources by cutting back on the demand for new extraction and production, which helps these limited supplies last longer.

Creative Outlet

Upcycling opens the door to resourceful thinking, curiosity, and artistic expression. You’re encouraged to see the potential in things and challenged to experiment, explore, and find innovative ways to give purpose to what others might discard. Plus, creativity takes a front seat as you craft unique pieces that reflect your ingenuity and style.

How to Start Upcycling

Ready to get resourceful? We’ve prepared tips to point you in the right direction.

  • Use what you have: Look around your home to see what you have on hand that could be repurposed.
  • Start small: Try simple projects, like turning old jars into storage containers or repurposing wooden crates into shelves.
  • Seek inspiration: Browse Pinterest, DIY blogs, or craft-centric social media accounts for ideas.
  • Learn basic skills: YouTube is a great resource for teaching yourself techniques like sanding, painting, or sewing.
  • Use your imagination: Try to think of new uses for everyday items, like turning old fence pickets into floating shelves or fabric scraps into cushion covers.
  • Start planning: Make a list of materials and tools you’ll need, the steps needed to complete the project, and a rough estimate of completion time.
  • Be patient: Upcycling is about the destination and the journey. You might make mistakes, but look at them as opportunities to learn.
  • Involve others: DIY has no age restrictions, so choose an upcycling project you can do with your kids, partner, or friends.
  • Share: When your project is ready, show your work to the world!

Resources