Volunteer & get involved

FABSCRAP volunteers are essential in making textile recycling a reality.

We need your help!

Unlike other materials, textile recycling skill requires a lot of work by hand. There is no mechanized system for sorting textiles by fiber or to remove stickers, staples, and fabric headers (yet!). Our FABSCRAP volunteers are at the heart of this work, sorting roughly 2,000 pounds of fabric every week, saving these materials from landfills and making them accessible to creators and crafters. As a thank-you for completing a 3 hour volunteer session, you’re welcome to up to 5 pounds of free fabric.

What to expect

All volunteer sessions take place at the FABSCRAP warehouse in Brooklyn (directions here). 

Here's how a session works:

  1. Intros and overview of FABSCRAP (10 minutes)

  2. Learn how to sort the fabric scraps (15 minutes)

  3. Sort through fabric samples and large pieces, pulling out usable fabrics for reuse and removing hardware and paper from fabric swatches for recycling  (2.5 hours)

  4. Shop for fabric after the session!

Available sessions

Check out our upcoming volunteer sessions at our Brooklyn warehouse.

Registering to volunteer for sorting

  • Create an Account to volunteer

    All volunteer sessions are hosted at our Brooklyn location. Creating an account and registering is required to volunteer. We cannot accommodate walk-ins at this time. We try to post new available sessions 3-4 weeks in advance.

  • If you’re bringing a friend

    Each registration is valid for one person only, so if you're coming with a friend, they will need to register separately.

  • Minors

    Volunteering is most approprate for children 12 years and older. Volunteers aged between 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult.

  • Donation option

    When you sign up, please consider making a donation to help keep us operational. All donations are non-refundable.

View all Volunteer sessions

Volunteer resources

  • We kindly ask you to please:

    • Review the Volunteer Code of Conduct

    • Dress comfortably and wear comfortable shoes as most volunteers sort while standing. We can provide chairs if you prefer to sit.

    • Bring your own bag to carry home any fabric you shop.

    • We play music, but feel free to bring headphones.

    • Feel free to bring water or beverages with a cap/lid; there are also vending machines in the building.

    • As the weather gets cooler, windows will only be open for ventilation depending on outside temperature.

    NOTE: Sorting fabric requires the use of sharp scissors and some moderate lifting (20-30 lbs) Most volunteer sorting tables are designed for standing work, but we’re happy to accommodate seating if needed.

  • By registering for a session, you are confirming that you have read, understand, and agree to our Volunteer Waiver and Code of Conduct.

  • We use scissors to remove fabric from headers, and they're sharp! There may be pins in the fabric as well. We have a First-Aid kit on hand, but please sort carefully. 

  • We have limited availability and high demand for our volunteer opportunities. Any missing volunteer significantly impacts our operations and takes away the spot from another community member. If you can no longer make it for any reason, kindly cancel your ticket through DonorView prior to the session.

    Please consider the health and safety of your fellow volunteers and the FABSCRAP team and cancel your session if you are not feeling well.

  • To thank you for your time:

    • receive 5 pounds of FREE fabric and a 30% volunteer discount on additional materials

    • OR a waived recycling fee for up to 5 lbs of personal sewing scraps

    NOTE: FABSCRAP is unable to receive used garments or home linens for recycling. 

  • We LOVE when volunteers are excited about their time at FABSCRAP and share pictures on social media. However, we ask that you respect the privacy of the companies we work with and DO NOT USE OR SHARE brand names.
    Please review the Volunteer Waiver and Code of Conduct for more info.

  • Sorting volunteer

    New volunteers at FABSCRAP are typically placed at sorting tables, where they help process donated fabric for recycling and reuse. Sorting involves separating materials by fiber content and removing non-textile elements like stickers, staples and headers.

    Reuse volunteer

    A Reuse Volunteer is a volunteer who has sorted 10+ times and has been invited by the FAB Team to train and assist with tasks for the Reuse Room. They get first exposure to reuse material!

    If you think you may be eligible to become a Reuse Volunteer and did not receive an invitation, let us know at volunteer@fabscrap.org.

Group volunteering

Corporates, schools, clubs & community groups

A unique opportunity for businesses, schools, clubs and community groups, our tailored group volunteer sessions are a great way to build stronger bonds and boost morale while learning about and supporting sustainable practices for fashion and design industries. Work hands-on to sort, recycle, and repurpose textile waste, directly contributing to a circular economy.

Our Brooklyn location

 

Our volunteer sessions are currently only available at our Brooklyn warehouse.

Brooklyn Army Terminal

140 58th Street Building B, Unit 5H-4 Brooklyn, NY 11220

Hear from our volunteers

  • “Doing something for the environment had never felt so good!! If you are a fashion enthusiast or a crafter of any sort this opportunity will be perfect for you.”

  • “I love everything about FABSCRAP! I always meet interesting people and discover unusual textiles. As a fiber artist and general maker, it feels right to volunteer and know I'm taking part in "the good.”

  • “I’m fired up by the work that FABSCRAP is doing to fight textile waste and the immediate impact volunteers can make!”

  • “It’s a great way to source new materials while also doing something good for the environment!"

  • "FABSCRAP is helping to collect data and create a more responsible and sustainable process. I volunteer because I believe in personal responsibility and doing your part to consume less."

Sustainable events & workshops

Another fun and meaningful way to get involved in our community is attending our workshops and social events. They are a collaborative environment designed to educate and inspire innovation and creativity, turning waste into something new.

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