FABRIC & APPAREL REUSE EXCHANGE Programme
FARE is a community-led textile reuse programme run by The Reuse Initiative CIC.
FARE exists to solve a simple problem with a big impact:
too much clothing is thrown away, even when it still has value.
Every week, tonnes of fabric and apparel are discarded due to damage, over-supply, returns, or changes in season. Much of this material is perfectly usable — just not suitable for resale in traditional retail.
FARE gives these textiles a second life.
🔁 What Is the FARE Programme?
The Fabric & Apparel Reuse Exchange (FARE) is a local exchange system that collects unwanted, unsellable, or surplus clothing and textiles and redirects them into reuse, repair, upcycling, craft, and community use.
Rather than sending textiles straight to recycling or landfill, FARE focuses on reuse first — extending the life of materials and unlocking their value for people, makers, and communities.
FARE acts as a bridge between organisations that have excess textiles and the individuals and groups who can use them creatively and practically.
🧵 What We Collect
Through the FARE Programme, we collect:
- Unsellable donated clothing
- Damaged or returned retail stock
- Out-of-season apparel
- Excess or overflow donations
- End-of-line garments
- Textile scraps and offcuts
- Worn items unsuitable for resale but ideal for reuse
All items are collected free of charge and handled responsibly.
🛠 What Happens Next
Once collected, textiles are:
- Sorted by material and condition
- Broken down into reusable components (fabric panels, patches, trims, fastenings)
- Cleaned and prepared
- Redistributed through the FARE Exchange as:
- Fabric scrap bundles
- Craft and maker packs
- Upcycling materials
- Educational resources
- Affordable reuse kits for households
- Recycled responsibly only as a last resort
Nothing is wasted. Landfill is avoided wherever possible.
👥 Who FARE Supports
FARE benefits a wide range of people and organisations, including:
- Local residents and families
- Low-income households
- Schools and education providers
- SEN groups and youth projects
- Community centres
- Artists and makers
- Upcyclers and small businesses
- Volunteers gaining skills and experience
FARE also supports partner organisations by reducing disposal costs and improving sustainability outcomes.
♻️ Why FARE Matters
Textile waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the UK.
FARE addresses this by:
- Keeping textiles in use for longer
- Reducing landfill and incineration
- Supporting the circular economy
- Creating accessible, affordable materials
- Turning waste into social value
- Providing meaningful community benefit
FARE is about fairness — for people, for communities, and for the planet.
🤝 Partner With FARE
We work with:
- Charity shops
- Retailers
- Supermarkets
- Housing associations
- Councils
- Community organisations
- Clearance and recycling partners
If your organisation has surplus clothing or textiles, FARE offers:
- Free, flexible collections
- Zero-waste handling
- Responsible reuse and recycling
- Local community impact
- Simple partnership arrangements
📩 Get Involved
Whether you’re a business with surplus stock, a community group, or an individual looking to support reuse:
FARE makes it easy to turn unwanted textiles into something positive.
👉 Contact us to join the FARE Programme.