United to Remake (U2R)
United to Remake (U2R) is a Portuguese social innovation startup that upcycles discarded materials — from neoprene wetsuits to nautical sails and event banners — into new sustainable products in partnership with brands and organisations.
United to Remake (U2R), based in Cruz Quebrada-Dafundo, Oeiras, is a Portuguese social innovation startup founded in 2021 by Francisca Shearman. Specialising in upcycling and material reuse, U2R combines design, sustainability and craftsmanship to give discarded resources a new life, turning what would otherwise become waste into products of value — as the team likes to say, transforming trash into a new form of luxury.
The startup works directly with brands and companies to find creative solutions for materials at the end of their life cycle: neoprene wetsuits from watersports, discontinued corporate uniforms (including a notable partnership with Leroy Merlin Portugal and EPAL), event materials like banners and tents, and nautical sails from the historic 1937 fishing vessel Santa Maria Manuela. U2R has also partnered with Ocean Sole, a Kenyan NGO that transforms flip-flops collected from oceans and rivers into colourful art, serving as its ambassador in Spain and Portugal.
Products range from pet accessories made with SEAQUAL® yarn (produced from ocean plastic) to keychains, decorative items, rain jackets, and unique handcrafted pieces from recovered sails and fabrics. Through these collaborations, U2R helps companies reduce waste sent to landfill while raising awareness about circular economy practices in Portugal, where the circularity rate remains around just 3%.
Beyond product creation, U2R positions itself as a full-service partner for organisations seeking to manage end-of-life materials responsibly, offering consultancy on new forms of recycling and upcycling tailored to each partner's specific waste streams.
Our Goal
United to Remake aims to reduce industrial and event waste by partnering directly with brands and organisations to transform discontinued materials — neoprene wetsuits, uniforms, sails, event banners and marine plastics — into new upcycled products with lasting value.
Our Wishes
The project seeks new corporate partnerships to source discontinued materials (uniforms, neoprene suits, event materials) and collaborations with organisations working on ocean and waste-reduction initiatives.
