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SWIFT

SWIFT (Sample Waste Initiative for the Furniture and Textile industries) is a new initiative forged by the collective and growing concern regarding the hundreds of tons of sample waste generated by the furniture and fabric industries and thrown into landfills each year.  Our goal is to reduce, reuse, and/or recycle 50% of this waste within 5 years.

Sue Patrolia, an SFC member and an Antioch MBA in Organizational & Environmental Sustainability, had the idea that it should be possible for our industry to reduce dump-destined sample waste dramaticly. She started exploring the idea and found others who saw the possibility and would work with her. The conversation started at the December 2007 Showtime in North Carolina and will continue until we reach our goal. Then we’ll set another one. We enthusiastically invite you to join the conversation.

Together we can learn how to do well by doing good.
Together we really can make a difference.

To join the conversation please comment, contribute or email by clicking below:

  • Donate to SWIFT - make a contribution
  • Discuss Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in the online forums
  • Contact SWIFT
  • Contact GIFFT - make a fabric donation
GIFFT (Green Initiative for Furniture and Textiles) is a collaborative effort involving Avangard Innovative, a global recycling company; Quilts for Kids Inc., a non-profit charity that transforms unwanted fabric into quilts, wheelchair bags, and totes that help children in need; and our own SWIFT.  The program facilites getting sample waste from the home furnishings industry into the hands of worthy non-profit organizations and put to good use.  You can participate by dropping your fabric sample waste at any of these 3 locations.  More sites will be announced as they become available.   
  • Avangard Innovative, Houston, TX
  • Sonoco Recycling, Greensboro, NC
  • Sunburst Paper, Loxley, AL

CH Robinson provides transport to Quilts For Kids.  QFK has 55 quilting chapters across the country.  Contact Joe Stalnaker at Avangard Innovative when you have fabric to donate: jstalnaker@avaicg.com.