Reuse That!

Last week I took my community college class of environmental science students to two awesome facilities in Portland. Both have been created to protect the environment, build community and inspire people: The Rebuilding Center and SCRAP. The Rebuilding Center is a re-use facility where one can go to buy just about anything they need to build or refurbish something using only salvaged materials. The Rebuilding Center keeps huge amounts of waste out of landfills and allows for people to purchase items much cheaper than they could if buying new. Two thumbs up!
SCRAP is built upon the same concept, but is focused on the resale of art-materials, or anything that could inspire a creative mind. SCRAP started as a group of teachers who didn't want to toss out the remains of left-behind art projects and so an art recycle box was started. It has now expanded to a store and workshop space open to the public. But what an awesome idea. Hello to all of you teachers out there!!!! How about starting an art reuse space at your school or in your community! People can donate creative items that they no longer have any use for, and others can take them for free or at a reduced cost. Imagine all of the resources that could be saved and all of the material that can be kept out of landfills!
So, I leave you with encouragement to start a space in your school or community (or heck, even start small and start in your home!) where art materials or interesting things can be donated and reused. Who knows what sorts of artistic inspiration will come to you from someone else's trash!