One of the biggest surprises in running a recycling business? Just how many people don’t want to throw things away. I’ve had folks hand me boxes of untouched fabric, half-finished quilts, sewing notions still in their original packaging—all because they couldn’t bear to toss them in the trash. And honestly, I get it. There’s an emotional weight to our stuff. That vintage fabric? It belonged to Grandma. Those half-finished projects? Started with the best of intentions. Somewhere along the way, life just got in the way.
And yet, capitalism keeps nudging us to buy more. We’re told to chase the latest trends, stockpile supplies, upgrade, replace—without ever really being encouraged to ask, What happens to the things we already have? That’s where businesses like mine come in. Instead of these materials ending up in a landfill, we give them another shot at life. That out-of-print fabric someone’s been searching for? A crafter might turn it into something beautiful. Those odds and ends from an abandoned project? The perfect inspiration for someone else.
Recycling isn’t just about keeping things out of the trash—it’s about rethinking our relationship with stuff. Before we rush to buy new, can we pass along what we don’t need? Can we shift our perspective to see potential in what already exists? Because trust me, there’s always someone out there who can use it. And in the process, we create something even better: a cycle of creativity, sustainability, and a little less waste in the world.
What are you making today?