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Recycle Your Quilt Fabric Scraps

 

We are in summer mode over here I've been cleaning out my sewing studio. With the kids home I've got limited time to work in my office so keeping it clean helps me keep my mind clear too! I thought it would be fun for the summer to do a summer series all about Fabric Stash Busters for the month of June. Then in July we will discuss finishing up all those WIPs you have. Let's jump in! 

 

Today we are starting off with an easy one. Recycling your quilt fabric scraps! I always hate seeing my trashcan fill up with batting, thread and fabric pieces. I'm also very minimalist (as you know) and I do not hold onto every fabric scrap. I just know I'll never use them. So, I went looking for the best way to recycle my leftovers - Retold Recycling is what I discovered. 

 

 

 

If you haven't heard of them before let me introduce you a bit. Retold Recycling was founded by friends, Alan and Amelia. When they were founded in 2020 their mission was simple - provide an easy, mail-based service for recycling old and unwanted textiles from your home. 

 

They offer a selection of options to recycle home textiles like clothing, towels, or for us crafters - Scrap Recycling Bags. 

 

When you order your bags make sure you use code: SEWNAS10 for a discount on your bags! 

 

 

The best way I have found to do this in my studio is to use one of the Scrap Fabric Bags as the liner in my trashcan. I found this clear waste basket that makes it easier for me to see and make sure that no one accidentally empties this in the trash. You can see it's a mailer! I set it up under my sewing table and toss in all my thread, scraps and extra batting pieces. 

 

 

Once your bucket is full simply seal it up and drop it off to be mailed! It's that easy. Your bags are already pre-labeled for shipping so all of that work is done for you! It's not just quilting scraps they accept either - they process all kinds of crafting scraps. I'm looking at you knitters!

 

 

Here's a few more guidelines directly from Retold Recycling:


What can/can't be sent: 

Our Scrap Bags are designed specifically for collecting and recycling fabric scraps and leftovers from sewing, quilting, and crocheting projects. This can be from the smallest thread to a bundle of leftover project fabric. We only ask that the following materials are not included because of their density, they seem to clog up our processes: Leather and coated textiles (e.g., PVC, polyurethane). Scrims made with plastic. Down-filled items, Wet materials, or items with chemical residue. Neoprene.


What happens to the scraps: 

Once filled, the Scrap Bags are sent to a domestic-based downcycler here in the U.S., where materials are processed into new fabrics, insulation, or padding. This ensures that all our recycling processes stay local and support sustainable practices.


How much does the bag hold?: 

Each Scrap Bag can hold up to 5lbs of scrap material. As someone who works with yarn myself, I can confidently say that it takes a good amount of time to fill it up, even with ongoing projects!

 


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I hope you'll give this a try! It's so, so simple. As I mentioned previously they also offer bags you can keep in your laundry room or closet for old clothes or other household textiles. When you order your bags make sure you use code: SEWNAS10 for a discount on your bags! 

 

 

 

When you order your bags make sure you use code: SEWNAS10 for a discount on your bags! 

 

 

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