Help Sew Valley Become Zero Waste!
$8,195.88
Raised
66
Donations
$12,500
Goal
We need your help!
Since 2017, Sew Valley has been searching for a zero waste solution for the unusable fabric scraps we produce in our facility. We finally have a solution, but we need your help!
After years of searching, we've been introduced to a manufacturer who can modify plastic shredding & pressing equipment in order to process our unusable fabric scraps that would normally head straight to the landfill! In order to acquire the equipment, we are planning to submit a grant proposal to Hamilton County Recycling Resource in support of the acquisition of equipment, supplies, and personnel costs to introduce this initiative. Catch is, the grant requires a 25% match, which is where you come in! Our total grant request is for $50,000, meaning we must match $12,500 by Tuesday, April 2nd at 6:00pm. Can you help us get there?
What is the Fabric Shredding Program?
Sew Valley’s Fabric Shredding Program will take fabric scrap waste, process it through a shredding machine into smaller pieces and create fabric “fill”, aka shoddy. This scrap will then be used as a green alternative to virgin poly fill stuffing, and other upholstery foam products. This fill can be used as stuffing in all sorts of products such as pillows, benches, and dog beds. It can also be used to create recycled insulation for home improvement projects. In addition to the shredder, we intend to purchase a sheet pressing machine that can turn the processed fabric fill into large 4’x4’ sheets of fiber boards to be used for products such as bulletin boards, and sound proofing boards.
The Fabric Shredding Program will not only solve Sew Valley's fabric waste problem, it will also act as a resource for individuals/businesses looking for solutions for their waste. Are you a home sewer and hate throwing your scraps away? Or is your business on the lookout for green alternatives for your products? Sew Valley's Fabric Shredding Program is for you! With this program, you will be able to drop off your unusable scrap, and/or purchase processed fill for a small fee by the pound!
Why is the Fabric Shredding Program important?
Globally, the Fashion Industry constitutes 10% of all greenhouse emissions per year, and it is projected to surge 50% by 2030. 46 billion articles of clothing are placed in landfill each year, pre-consumer. Sew Valley's mission is to lead by example and prove that ethical & sustainable apparel manufacturing CAN be done, right here in your back yard. Not only will this program divert thousands of pounds of fabric waste from the landfill per year, it will enable you to be a part of the sustainability narrative, and promote the importance of textile sustainability within the apparel manufacturing industry.
Thank you for considering supporting Sew Valley's Fabric Shredding Program. Donations of any size will bring us one step closer to achieving our zero waste goals!
- - SV
FAQ:
- - Where can I learn more about the recycling grant? - Check out the Hamilton County Recycling R3Source website here: https://hamiltoncountyr3source.org/
- - If awarded, when will the Fabric Shredding Program be available for public use? - Grant awards should be announced in July/August. We anticipate offering the program publicly by November 2024.
- - What happens if we don't raise the full match needed? - As a nonprofit, Sew Valley is permitted to use in-kind matches to contribute to the overall match. For any unraised funds, we plan to utilize volunteer hours, and/or other in-kind administrative hours to contribute to the program.
- - What if Sew Valley doesn't get the grant? - This fundraiser will still be considered valid, and your donated funds will support our mission of helping apparel designers and brands manufacture locally, sustainably, ethically, and efficiently.
- - I'm interested in sustainable apparel manufacturing, but I don't have any fabric to drop off, nor the need for fill. How can I help? - Get in touch! We're always eager to meet individuals interested in picking up volunteer hours - info@sewvalley.org
Sign up for a class! Check out our website where you can learn more about what we're up to, and sign up for a future class - https://sewvalley.org/
- - Where are you getting the equipment? - Check out https://www.preciousplastic.com/
Donor Wall20
Jan and Wym Portman
Catharine
So excited about the Fabric Shredding Program! We are so lucky to have Sew Valley in Cincinnati!
MaryLou Arundell | $26.34
I create scraps when I quilt and looking forward to keeping them out of a landfill.
Jōn | $100
Thank you for being kind to our earth!!
Idlewild Boutique | $200
We love Sew Valley
Carolyn
Amy Scarpello | $208.54
Shelby
Thank you for everything Sew Valley does for the community!
Linda
Thanks for all the work you do!
Marissa | $52.37
Kyla Maddox
Jennifer Spieser | $50
Libby Hunter | $104.42
Lily | $100
This zero waste solution is so important!! Thank you for leading the way forward to a sustainable future!
mary ann Fancy Folk Overalls | $100
Dakoi | $10
Shailah Stewart Christopher Souris | $500
We’re proud to support this important work - Sew Valley is leading the way!
Lin | $104.42
I'm so pleased to hear of this recycling program. I hope to be able to use it in the near future.
Eileen Aber | $50
What an incredible program!!
Elizabeth Olson | $150.88