891 Costume Resources
CONSERVATION
In an effort to be kinder to our planet, please share ways in which we can reduce waste in this VERY wasteful industry
Donations welcome
at wrap, consider donating to local shelters and charities
My Sister's Closet- We accept women’s and men’s clothing, shoes and accessories such as purses, jewellery, and wallets.
Aunt Leah's Place- encouraged that you to call ahead to confirm as our needs change frequently according to their participants individual situations. Gently used seasonal men's and women's clothing, accessories and jewelry.
Downtown Eastside Women's Centre- women's clothing, toiletries, blankets, towels, bras, socks underwear. Please check website for open donation times.
Thrifty
film-friendly Thrift Stores
Miscellany Finds Carries: Clothing—basics to designer labels, shoes, jewelry and accessories. Manager: Portia willing to pre-pull specific items.
Our Social Fabric
Vancouver, BC
Our Social Fabric (OSF) is Vancouver’s only non-profit textile recycling initiative that has been in operation since 2009 in Vancouver, BC. Twice monthly sales. 1275 Venables, 2nd floor. -- Great place for cheap notions and mock-up fabrics! See website for sale dates. To donate, please send an e-mail to: osfdonations@gmail.com and our Donations Coordinator will contact you to arrange a time for drop-off.
No More dryer sheets!
Did you know most dryer sheets have animal fat in addition to being single use items?
These are fabulous - no more plastic dryer balls. Costume Departments can buy wool dryer dots wholesale from the supplier in Montreal. No minimum order and they will package product loose in a box so you can cut out the plastic packaging. According to their website, these are biodegradable at the end of their life, safe for people with sensitive skin and wool allergies. Great to buy for your kit and cut out expendables. BUY CANADIAN!
TAKE AWAY THE TAPE
Some tapes can take 10-20 years to decompose
We all know that we use a LOT of tapes, particularly Camera Tapes, which are expensive and can take a lot of time to decompose. For chicklets and other dividers, we can use earth friendly cleaners to remove permanent markers from the surface to reduce tape use AND extend the life of your dividers. We've al seen those ones that are so gummed up by tape, they aren't worth the time removing those years of layered tape. GROSS!
Try these as alternatives:
Universal Stone Cleaning Stone check their website for local retailers
GREEN GARMENT BAGS
ditch the plastic
Common Thread - two sizes of garment bags made from re-purposed city banners. Made by locally by adults with disabilities trained to operate industrial sewing machines.
Muslin garment bags - not local.
SCOUR PADS
renewable and compostable
Safix coconut fibre scour pads are an excellent alternative to the plastic based pads we are used to.
3511 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3N3 Walnut Shell Scour pads – Welk’s (they are 100% non-allergenic! All the oils are removed so there is zero chance for allergic reaction. Check with management for possible wholesale prices.
CLEAN UP WITH CLOTH
with Eco Friendly Dish Cloths
Mabu dish cloths a great multipurpose cloth. For kitchen, costume shops, dye room, costume trucks, head office kitchen, catering, crafty etc. 100% natural wood fibre, compostable. These are naturally bacteria resistant - kiss microfibre cloths goodbye! They never smell sour.
Can buy retail - Garden Health in Vancouver, or buy wholesale - they have a couple of distributors in Canada: PureSource and Directa.
The triple pack Mabu has 96 units per carton. They can sell you wholesale in smaller units by mail order or courier of choice - contact Larry Fisher at fishershardware@live.ca
DOING DIRTY WORK
Natural Latex Dish Gloves
Natural latex gloves by Full Circle (Splash Patrol)
Sold locally at The Gourmet Warehouse & Welk’s General Store– Vancouver
SHOE/BOOT BAGS
alternatives to plastic bags and onion bags
String bags are washable, breathable, natural fibre and don’t take a lot of space to store. There are a few brands to choose from:
Shopping Tote Handbag Fruit Storage Shopper New 4.7 out of 5 stars8 CDN$ 9.99 - The strap is 18 inches, 9 inches to the top where you would hold it from. The body of bag is 14 inches long by 14 inches wide if stretched out.
Mi-Aimee Cotton Net Bag-a bit more expensive but might last longer
String bags by ECO BAGS various handle lengths sizes - come also in pastel colours -the most expensive brand 5 for $47.96 US. EcoBags were featured on OPRAH.
DISINFECTING SPRAY ALTERNATIVES
instead of using caustic ENBAC or other harmful aerosols
Saje Natural Wellness- Antibacterial Yoga Mat Spray or Gym Bag/Shoe Spray- use to deodorize shoes and hats