A new sustainability-driven movement is taking shape in Tempe as FABRIC, Arizona’s nonprofit fashion incubator, prepares to launch Sew-cular Exchange, a community textile reuse program aimed at keeping usable materials out of landfills and in creative circulation. The initiative will debut during Eco Fashion Week 2026 at FABRIC’s Clothing Swap event in partnership with Community Closet, marking a major step forward in Arizona’s growing circular fashion ecosystem.
Sew-cular Exchange is designed to transform discarded or unused textiles into a shared resource for designers, students, artists and community members. Clean, usable fabric and trims can be donated, then freely accessed and repurposed into new garments, products and creative works.
The program is made possible by a grant from Circular Arizona, an organization focused on advancing circular-economy practices statewide. The funding supports the infrastructure, training and outreach needed to establish a long-term, scalable system for textile reuse.
In the United States, more than 17 million tons of textile waste are generated each year, most of which end up in landfills. Arizona, meanwhile, currently lacks widespread textile recycling infrastructure, making community-based solutions like Sew-cular Exchange especially critical.
Building on FABRIC’s existing textile diversion efforts, the program formalizes a structured system that emphasizes accessibility, creativity and measurable environmental impact. Organizers say the goal is not only to reduce waste, but also to expand opportunity within the local creative economy.
The official launch will take place during the Eco Fashion Week Clothing Swap, where attendees will be invited to participate in a hands-on circular fashion experience. Guests can swap gently used clothing, donate fabric (one yard or more), and access materials through the new Sew-cular Exchange program.
Participation in the textile exchange is free, while entry to the Clothing Swap is $10 at the door, with all proceeds benefiting Community Closet, a local organization focused on clothing access and community support. The launch event will be held at FABRIC, located inside the NOVO Broadway Makerspace at 711 W. Broadway Road in Tempe on April 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more at fabricincubator.com.
