INNOVATIONS: Scrap DC

August is green innovations month at SSC and when we come across organizations with green initiatives and innovations, we like to showcase them. This week it's Scrap DC!

Scrap DC is a chapter of SCRAP, a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Portland, OR. Scrap DC is Co-directed by, Heather Bouley and Karen Klein who started the organization in August last year. Their mission is to inspire creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior by providing educational programs and affordable materials to local communities.

To date they have:

  • diverted over 4000 pounds of materials from the waste stream (if you missed the SSC blog post yesterday, "SSC Conducts Waste Assessment and Audit" click here)
  • helped make hundreds of “SCRAPpy” bracelets with kids and adults at community festivals
  • led creative reuse projects during science classes for third, fourth and fifth graders at Takoma Educational Center
  • had a “pop-up” shop in Mt. Rainier, MD for their Build a Better Block Day
  • spent a day at the Maret School doing creative reuse projects with about 60 seventh graders
  • worked with Capitol Hill Arts Workshop and local artists to provide free, “Make it, Take it” workshops to the community through Eco-Art Days.

How can you help? Visit their website and find out how to donate scrap art supplies. You will find a detailed list of all the items that they can reuse. By donating your unwanted supplies, you will be contributing to the reduction of materials that enter the waste stream, and giving back to your local community. Environmentally and socially conscious, now that's what we call "Sustainable"!