Those old, dried out pens you have in the bottom of a desk drawer? Or perhaps they’re rubber bands. Maybe they’re googly eyes you forgot you even own. Whatever the junk ruminating in your house is, there’s a chance Scraps KC, a local, sustainable nonprofit, could take it off your hands.

Located in Westport, Scraps KC is both a “creative reuse” center and retail store. By the time they launched in 2016, Scraps had already diverted 12 tons of materials from the landfill. Their process begins with donations of old items, which are cleaned and sorted through by volunteers. After being accounted for, materials are then donated to disadvantaged classrooms, or placed in the store, patiently waiting for a new purpose.

During Interim Week, a group of students was able to visit Scraps’ retail store and purchase some of their items. Annie Hess, a sophomore who participated in the course, learned more about the sustainability aspect of their mission.

“We were building Buddhist prayer flags, so we needed natural materials that decompose back into the earth,” Hess said. “We were able to get natural fabrics, like wool and cotton, and decorative supplies, like ink stamps.”

For many of the volunteers at Scraps, their work has also given them a new purpose; homeless individuals account for a large part of Scraps’ volunteer community. The opportunity to volunteer has given them a chance to feel purposeful and needed. In exchange for their help, they’re given warm meals, necessities and even help finding a job. 

Math teacher Kim Sirridge, who led the interim class, believes the greatest part of Scraps is their versatility.

“Not only are they a community of resources for rehoming materials, but they also have a community mission, which is outreach to the homeless population and offering work and resources for people who need it in the area,” Sirridge said.

Regardless of the help they already have, Scraps is always looking for more volunteers. With jobs ranging from sorting donated materials to preparing and serving lunches, they have a place for everyone. Visitors are also welcome to their makerspace, complete with sewing machines and all the materials you need to create an art masterpiece.

For those that would rather create at home, supplies are for sale in the store at greatly discounted prices. Those prices are even further reduced by 20% for teachers buying for their classrooms.

Sirridge describes Scraps’ unique mission as a “community collaboration”.

“It’s a resource for a number of people for a number of different reasons, and it provides volunteer outreach interaction opportunities that not all nonprofits do,” Sirridge said.

To help support the nonprofit, benefactors can donate materials found on their online “accepted materials” list, such as deodorant, clothing, or gift cards for places like Pizza Hut or Jimmy Johns. Scraps also accepts monetary donations in any amount.

Although Scraps may appear to have a multitude of layers, their mission is clear: to make sure everything — and everyone — has a purpose.