RECYCLING AT FABSCRAP: DROP OFFS

NOT WITH A BRAND BUT WANT TO RECYCLE WITH US?

If you are a design student, sewing hobbyist, textile artist, or crafter who is not affiliated with a brand but wanting to be sustainable and recycle with us, FABSCRAP allows individuals to drop off their fabric scraps for the service fee of $2/lb with an appointment at both our Brooklyn and Philadelphia locations. The service fees help us to cover the cost of processing and recycling material and because we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit. We do have a 50lb limit for individual drop offs. If you have recycling that exceeds 50lbs please email service@fabscrap.org. Individuals must be present at time of drop off to cover service fee charges. Please plan to stay while the FABSCRAP team sorts and processes your drop off.

WHAT DOES FABSCRAP ACCEPT?

FABSCRAP accepts all types of fabric including: swatches, headers, cuttings, production scrap, and yardage. We
also take notions, trims, leather hides, and yarn cones. FABSCRAP does not accept used clothing, shoes, handbags, and other accessories. We do not accept home textiles, beddings, table linens, or curtains. FABSCRAP reserves the right to turn away any materials brought in that do not meet these terms. We will only accept clean, unstained, odor-free materials.

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE MY DROP OFF?

If you do have yardage, trims, or notions that you think are readily usable and do not need to be recycled please keep those separate from your other scraps, off cuttings, and recycling so our team can sort through your drop off quickly and easily. Fees are waived for readily usable materials such as fabric yardage (2 yards +) or trims/notions- this is completely based on the discretion of FABSCRAP staff at the time of drop off when the material is delivered. Drop offs should not exceed 50lbs of material per individual.

WHY SHOULD I RECYCLE MY SCRAPS?

Most fabric (62%) is synthetic or chemical, and it will take 30–40 years to break down in landfill, and a hundred years to fully decompose (if ever).Recycling and reuse are critical options to divert this material from landfill, but more importantly, they potentially reduce the production, and associated environmental costs, of virgin fibers.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE FABRIC I RECYCLE?

•DOWNCYCLING – Small scraps, and all material from black bags, will be shredded for industrial use in insulation, carpet padding, felt carpeting in the trunks of cars, etc.

•UPCYCLING – To every extent possible, material from brown bags will be reused in creative partnerships with local designers, students, artisans, etc. or large scraps may be sold in bulk