Help start an eco-conscious maker and artist supply centre

Photo by Robert Couse-Baker used
under creative commons license

I've got this sprout of an idea. Actually, it's becoming a Frankenstein, weed/tree sort of thing (but in a good way) as I graft on ideas while I scavenge the 'net and other people's minds. The seed for the idea started as a vision of a maker/artist supply store and it's been morphing from there.

The idea really took root when I stumbled on The Scrap Exchange, a "nonprofit creative reuse center located in Durham, North Carolina". This is much, much more than retail store for reclaimed industrial discards. They have a gallery for displaying local artists' work and they host community events and workshops. They even do birthday parties and corporate team building, all with a focus on making stuff while diverting waste from the landfill. They accept and actively collect donations of "lean, safe, reusable industrial discards as well as new, finished products that are no longer needed by businesses" to sell in the store. Their artists' marketplace seems like a great showcase and "features products from local artists who are using reclaimed materials in their work."

I'm sure we could make something like this work here in the Region of Waterloo, especially with the movers and shakers over at Kwartzlab gaining steam (and there's DIYode and thinkhaus too) and encouraging the build-it-yourself creative maker attitude. I'm guessing there are piles of would-be-debris that local industries would otherwise send to the landfill… why can't we divert that and put it in the hands of artists, makers, educators and families? I think a store like this would do well and be a great support for our vibrant and growing community of local artists.

I'd like to see something along the lines of The Scrap Exchange, with a possible tech twist. Maybe sell Arduinos ("an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software") and bulk LEDs at cost to encourage projects with a geeky leaning?

So, what do you say? Would you shop at a place like this for your project supplies? Would you hold a eco-conscious maker birthday party for your kids here? Do you or your company have any materials that you would consider donating to the cause? What would make a store like this a great place to shop? Do you want to help out? Have more ideas?

Leave a comment, point your friends here, give it a tweet or a blog post of your own, and help get the discussion going :)