Material
Redistribution
Why do we do it
In the UK, huge amounts of high-quality textiles are incinerated due to overproduction, discontinued collections and inefficient systems.
At the same time, UK makers and creatives struggle to access affordable materials.
The Fabric Folk exists to bridge that gap — keeping textiles in use and out of landfill.
What’s in it for you
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Partner with The Fabric Folk to keep good fabric out of landfill and put it back into the hands of people who’ll make something meaningful from it.
Show your commitment to the circular economy by giving textiles a future beyond the bin
Boost your brand’s sustainability credentials
Stay ahead of changing UK regulations (like EPR) by choosing reuse over disposal
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Sending waste to landfill costs money.
Working with The Fabric Folk helps you reduce waste management costs while streamlining how you deal with surplus stock. Together, we’ll help you get more from what you already have—and waste less doing it.
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Your unused materials can help power community creativity.
By donating or diverting surplus to The Fabric Folk, you’re supporting a network of local artists, educators, and makers who rely on reclaimed fabric to fuel their work. It’s a simple act with a ripple effect: less waste, more making, and stronger communities.
Show your customers and team what sustainability looks like in action—collaborative, creative, and full of purpose.
How we break the cycle of the ‘take, make, waste’
Firstly, we partner with textile manufacturers, designers, brands, merchants, charities who want to make a difference.
Secondly, we collect their reusable surplus materials, such as fabric samples, deadstock, end-of-the-roll fabric.
Thirdly, we put the materials in circulation within the creative community of The Fabric Folk to reduce, reuse and repair.
Our Process
Understanding your surplus materials
We work with businesses to identify reusable material streams — including textiles, offcuts and deadstock — that would otherwise be wasted.
Preparing materials for reuse
Materials are sorted and organised by our staff and volunteers so they can be safely and efficiently redistributed for creative use.
Redistribution via pop-ups and online
We host regular public events where makers, artists and designers can access materials directly.
Those unable to attend can shop affordable reused textiles through our online store.
Reuse through community programmes
Selected materials are used in our repair and upcycling workshops — supporting experimentation, creative practice and new livelihoods.
How It Works
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Tell us what you have available — including fabric types, quantities, quality and any key details.
We accept surplus stock, offcuts, end-of-roll and discontinued textiles.
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We’ll review your materials and arrange the best route for redistribution.
A handling fee applies from £1 per kilo + delivery, covering sorting, processing, storage and rehoming.
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We organise collection or agree a drop-off, depending on volume and location.
Materials are then sorted and prepared for reuse through our network.
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We provide Waste Transfer Notes where required and can support your reporting needs, including Scope 3, Category 5 emissions data.
The Fabric Folk is a registered Upper Tier Waste Broker with the Environment Agency.
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We can capture and share how your materials are reused — supporting internal communications, ESG reporting and external storytelling.