Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

Of the 53 million tons of textiles annually used to create clothing globally, 12%--6.3 million tons--are wasted during design and production. FABSCRAP‚ mission and operations combat this waste problem, and simultaneously supports our community in the process. Starting with our recycling service to over 730 brand partners, FABSCRAP collects excess textiles and provides diversion metrics back to brands. Then with the help of our network of 11,000+ volunteers, all fabric received is sorted manually by size and fiber. If fabrics are roughly one yard or larger we separate them for reuse and resell. Small pieces like swatches or sewing offcuts are downcycled into industrial insulation. To date, FABSCRAP has diverted over 1.32 million pounds of fabric from landfill‚Äìthe CO2-saving equivalent of planting over 130,000 trees (about 9,214 US tons of CO2, assuming that one ton of textiles diverted = 14.7 US tons of CO2 saved).

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How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

Replaces/avoids GHGs (e.g., projects that replace sources of GHGs, such as the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, transport, or other energy uses), Reduces GHGs (e.g., projects that reduce sources of GHGs, such as through efficiency or other changes in consumption)

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Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

We have a dedicated Education and Outreach Coordinator that ensures our message reverberates throughout New York and the country. FABSCRAP has provided over 906 hours of education. We have accomplished this through textile conferences, educational presentations, and informational and skill-building workshops. Our workshop hosts are a diverse group of people, mostly from underrepresented groups. They are given the spotlight to share their talents and knowledge with others. We work with several educational institutions, from middle schools to doctorate programs so we can ensure everyone has the tools to be more sustainable textile consumers. The organization aims to especially provide resources to underserved schools in New York. We‚ ve redistributed over 116,622 pounds of high-quality fabric at accessible prices to students, artists, and crafters, about 42% of which was provided for free to volunteers, nonprofits, teachers, and charitable projects. FABSCRAP is also very proud of our pay what wish you program for select fabrics because this ensures everyone can participate in sustainable design. Our paid internship program focuses on providing opportunities to low-income students in fashion and sustainability since they face a significant barrier to breaking into that industry. Lastly, we have a featured designer program that promotes people from disadvantaged groups through our various media channels. We assist them in growing their businesses and amplifying their voices.

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Mission Statement:

FABSCRAP’s vision is a world without textile waste. To be a global example of how companies and designers can responsibly get rid of their waste while giving artists and makers new access to increased sustainable and affordable materials. We have locations is both New York City and Philadelphia. This includes but is not limited to education, workshops, outreach, volunteer sorting, and fabric redistribution. FABSCRAP provides virtual options to increase accessibility and protect public health. We offer digital workshops (which vary between educational and skill building ), our online store, and virtual shopping appointments. These virtual options allow our outreach to reach beyond New York and Pennsylvania and include anyone in the United States.