What makes Sew-Op green?
The Sew-Op functions at a low level cost, practices sustainable development, increases gains with almost zero impact on the environment as well as creating jobs for people. Sew -Op teaches all participants how to recycle their own project refuse and compost on location, which in turn educates to promote green ethics. Filtered water and conscious food are usually in or near the location. Plants, non-voc products and other methods are used to promote clear air.
What are the low level cost factors?
The Sew-Op continues to serve and function through donation basis. Donations consist of fabric, sewing machines, sewing supplies, notions, time and money. Donations of fabric are mostly old clothes and often times unused portions or remnants of bolts. Energy efficient lighting/bulbs are mostly used. Signs and notes are posted to remember to turn machines/lights/tools off when done using to reduce energy use.
What are the practices of sustainable development?
Every Sew-Op occupies already developed buildings, which are sometimes multi-use facilities. Facilities include schools, churches, park district buildings, donor provided spaces and chapter member locations. Entry-level memberships provide information and education to all people. Entry-level participants have the opportunity for free to gain skill and education needed to move into positions with more benefits that may lead to employment and/or financial gain.
How does the Sew-Op increase gains while maintaining almost Zero negative affects on the environment?
The Sew-Opportunity is a resource and network for efficient material usage, time management and educational benefits. Providing all users with reclaimed, un-used and recycled goods redirecting energies into making use of already existing materials. Use of existing buildings, materials and skill technologies encourages environments to become self-sustainable through already available resources. In turn reducing the carbon foot printing of creating resources from commodity and utilizing all that has been made before using new resources. Some facilities operate with solar power, wind power or other forms or environmentally friendly sources.
How does the Sew-Op make employment available?
The Sew-Opportunity provides education of the skills and an edge for hands on experiences that are necessary for creating revenue especially for personal gain. Through the training of the Sew-op, individuals have learned how to make things that the Sew-Op can sell. Members have the opportunity to also sell goods through the Sew-Op.net for a percentage paid to the Sew-Op for services. Contract goods can also be made at the Sew-Op and then sold, thus using only physical services of the Sew-Op which membership dues pay for entitling the professional member almost 100% of the profits. Learning at the Sew-Op also provides valuable communication skills that outside employers are looking for. The Sew-Op.net is also a resource for outside employers to do recruiting.
How does the Sew-Op teaching people how to recycle and practice green?
Members view an education screen when registering for membership. When entering the Sew-Op spaces there are postings about how the Sew-Op practices green ethics. Participation in local recycling programs and on site recycling is a golden rule of Sew-Op. The major source of fabric the Sew-Op uses comes for the act of people donating fabrics and old clothes, which are then reused. Paper scraps are made into recycled paper usually made on site but often at home or sent to a local papermaker. This paper is then used for decorative paper and sometimes sold to generate revenue. Project remnants, namely fabrics, easiest recycled by collecting pieces large enough to use again and the smallest scraps are minced for papermaking. What is left over is usually then made into art. Environmental awareness has been set in place with the model of the Electric Company; also know as Electrico now referred to as Eco, in Chicago, IL, with a grant for a Green Roof made possible by the City of Chicago. Eco also has green technology in the plans for the entire building in the remodeling projects starting in the spring of 2007. These implementations will be made available for members to view. Plants are most likely present at most locations. Non-volatile materials are used in construction when applicable as well as cleaning agents. Fresh air and incandescent bulbs are a common exchange. Leading members participate in online discussions on how to better behave and co-exist. Sew-Op.net the online component reduces paper waste through electronic notifications, memberships, log-ins, electronic project design and creation.
Recycling @ the Sew-Op
All the fabrics that come in are sorted and appropriated to the proper places and affiliations. Scrap fabrics are saved to make various items of interest. Patchwork patches or garments, dolls and puppets to paper making are all forms used to Reinvent otherwise wasted product. Paper that most people turn into a recycling company are remade into paper at the Sew-Op. Plastic scraps can be useful for reinforcing some garments while the left over scraps are then used for found art projects.
Sessions at the Sew-Op are often recorded to be used for educational applications and sound bits. The sound bits are then compressed or sampled for further musical use. A sound bank builds up and then ready to be remixed. This remixed music is then played during future sessions, which are also recorded. Creating a fractal mirroring of soundscapes for listening pleasure. These tracks are also used for future events and especially fashion shows.
The clothes are remade using remade/recycled fabrics. The labels for the products of the Sew-Op are made from recycling paper from the Sew-Ops. The whole time recycled music is being played and recorded, during each session.
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Green FAQ 
