FABSCRAP PHL V-Week Sorting Social: Wednesday, February 14th, PM session
February 14 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
FABSCRAP needs your help to save designer textiles from landfills! It’s easy to learn, fun to do, and a safe way to help out.
Come join FABSCRAP this Valentine’s Week to Sort Fabric Scraps for Recycling!
Join FABSCRAP Philly from February 14th to the 16th to participate in sorting fabric scraps for recycling and to shop for reclaimed textiles afterward. You are encouraged to bring a +1 and enjoy this delightful socializing/volunteering event! No better way to celebrate Valentine’s Week than doing something good for the planet and making some new friends! No partner? No problem! Feel free to sign up as an individual as well.
Volunteers will sort through fabric samples and swatches, separating fabric from paper headers and folding large, usable fabric to be saved for reuse. We moved to a new space in BOK! We are now in Unit B05A. Please review the directions below for visiting our new space.
When registering, choose:
First Time Individual Volunteer Sorter if this is your first time volunteering with us
Return Individual Volunteer Sorter if you’ve sorted with us before
First Time Volunteer Sorter w/ +1 if this is your first time volunteering with us and you are bringing someone with you
Return Volunteer Sorter w/ +1 if you have sorted with us before and will be bringing someone with you
Please Note: If you are bringing a companion they will have to sign a Volunteer Waiver at our location before they participate in the session.
FABSCRAP Philly is committed to keeping our volunteers, community, and team safe:
All visitors are encouraged to wear a mask in the FABSCRAP warehouse.
Volunteer stations are comfortably spaced apart for individual use (unless you opt to share with a friend)
Cleaning and sanitizing of volunteer stations and frequently touched surfaces will take place between all volunteer sessions.
The FABSCRAP team will be wearing masks.
Hand sanitizer is available.
We ask that volunteers cancel their session and stay home if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms including fever, cough, and/or gastrointestinal issues (see additional info from the CDC). Additionally, please cancel your session and stay home if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or had direct contact with an individual diagnosed with or suspected to have COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
Thank you for being part of our work and mission! When you sign up, please consider donating to keep us operational as a sustainable resource – FABSCRAP is the only option available for the fashion industry to recycle and redistribute unused material, and the most accessible way for consumers to find saved-from-landfill fabric, trim, leather, and yarn.
Want to get more involved? We are sending monthly invites to become a Reuse Volunteer to those who have volunteered 10 or more times! Reuse Volunteers help process materials in our Reuse bins after they leave the initial sorting table. It’s a great opportunity to understand the deconstruction of sample garments, what types of items are donatable or mendable, and how materials are processed for reuse or recyclability. We monitor our Eventbrite registrations closely. If you think you may have completed 10 sorting sessions and did not receive an invitation to sign up, let us know at volunteer@fabscrap.org using the email you register for sessions with.
Please read below for additional information on volunteering, including other changes at the FABSCRAP Philly warehouse due to COVID-19.
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What to expect:
Welcome: Intros and overview of FABSCRAP (10 minutes)
Training: Learn how FABSCRAP sorts fabric for recycling (15 minutes)
Sort: 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)
Shop for fabric! (1 hour)
***Sorting fabric requires the use of sharp scissors and moderate lifting (20-30 lbs). By registering for a session, you are confirming that you have read, understand, and agree to the volunteer waiver.***
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 material you shop for!
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 the outside temperature
Please be sure to register for every session you plan to attend, and if you are unable to attend – especially if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or had direct contact with an individual diagnosed with or suspected to have COVID-19 in the past 14 days – cancel your ticket so that others may sign up for your space
As a thank-you for completing a 3-hour volunteer session, we’re happy to:
Give you 5 pounds of fabric for FREE and a 30% volunteer discount on any additional material you’d like to purchase… OR
Waive the fee for recycling personal sewing scraps, up to 10 pounds… OR
Sign a community service form
***FABSCRAP does not accept used garments or home linens for recycling.***
THESE DIRECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT:
The FABSCRAP Philly warehouse is located in Unit B05A within BOK, which is accessible by foot, bike/scooter, car, subway, and bus.
SUBWAY: Broad Street Line to Snyder Station
BUS: 45, 47, 47M, 79 Lines
BIKE: Approach BOK’s Pedestrian Entrance on 821 Dudley Street, between 8th and 9th Street. Free outdoor bike parking is available next to the entrance on 9th Street. BOK is an Indego bike share location with a kiosk located on the corner of 8th and Mifflin Street.
DRIVING: For I-76E and I-76W, take Exit 350 towards Packer Avenue. For I-95S, take Exit 20 towards Washington Avenue. For I-95N, take Exit 17 to merge onto PA-611N/ S Broad Street.
Limited, two-hour on-street parking is available surrounding BOK.
How to locate FABSCRAP Philly at BOK:
From Outside:
The entrance to FABSCRAP is located on the corner of S 8th Street and Mifflin Street, next to the Indego Bike kiosk station. Our gate will be open during business hours, and a team member will greet you as you walk in and check-in for your scheduled volunteer session.
From Dudley Street Entrance:
The Dudley Street entrance at 821 Dudley Street is Bok’s main public entrance at the back of the building. To access FABSCRAP from this entrance, you will walk down the hall towards the welcome desk and take the central elevator (Painted black) to your left down to the basement. Once you exit the elevator, you will take a left and then a right towards FABSCRAP, which will be to your left at the end of the hall.
From 9th Street or Mifflin Street Entrance:
At the bottom of this page, and in your confirmation email, is a QR code, which works as a virtual key at the 9th Street and Mifflin Street entrances of Bok.
To the right of the door is a digital screen where you can scan this code.
1) Click the “Virtual Key” button on the home screen.
2) Hold the QR Code in front of the camera, located on the left side of the screen
When you hear a buzz/ding, the door unlocks so you can enter. You will walk towards the information desk and make a right and take the elevator ( Painted black) down to the basement. Once you exit the elevator, you will take a left and then a right towards FABSCRAP, which will be to your left at the end of the hall.
***(For ramp access, please use the ADA entrance on Mifflin St. The attendant at the Ambassador Desk will guide you to the Central)