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FABCYCLE: textile waste ReUSE Centre in Vancouver, B.C

Last updated: Aug 3, 2022

Summary

FABCYCLE is a textile waste collection service. They work directly with factories, fashion designers, and schools to collect leftover textile waste from the garment production process (waste, offcuts, dead material, and roll ends) and reuse or recycle what they can't use.

Problem

According to the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD), textiles represent one of the fastest-growing waste streams, accounting for 7.7 percent of all solid waste produced in the region. Half of the Vancouver region's textile waste is made up of commercial, recreational, and residential textiles, such as filters, upholstery, tents, towels, and bedding. The other half is made up entirely of discarded clothing, of which up to 95% could be reused, repaired, or recycled. FABCYCLE currently does not have a collection center; it is limited to Metro Vancouver; it does not have delivery space. They collect the different textiles, then take them to the reuse center, then sort them into different categories to finally put them on the shelves.

Solution

FABCYLE has been trying to provide a solution since 2017, collecting over 140,000 pounds of reusable and recyclable fabrics and supplies from the venues, as well as providing an open and inclusive physical space for the local creative community to come together and experiment with textile waste.

Outcome

They provide a delivery service in Canada and the United States and you can contact them directly if you need the service outside of the coverage area with the aim of having used and unwanted textiles reach people, designers, and manufacturers for reuse. Also, they collect the small "scraps" and offer them free for craft and sewing projects. This helps minimize the amount of waste going to landfill.