Storefront with blue facade and a yellow sign displaying the address 2050. Part of a sign reads "The SCRAP EXCHANGE" with colorful decorative elements, and there is an entrance with a black metal gate. There are trees and bushes around the storefront, with string lights hanging from the structure under the roof.

The Scrap Exchange

Blue circular logo with white text that reads 'The Scrap Exchange'.

The Scrap Exchange is one of the oldest and largest creative reuse centers in the United States.

Exterior view of a thrift store called 'The Scrap Exchange Thrift' with a white building, arched entrance, colorful columns, parked cars, and a bright blue sky with some clouds.

The Scrap Thrift

Logo of The Scrap Exchange Thrift with a green hanger outline, a blue circle with the text "The Scrap Exchange," and the word "Thrift" in large blue letters underneath.
An empty parking lot with a few cars, a tree on a small landscaped island, and a store in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Reuse Arts District

Blue background with white text that reads 'REUSE REDUCE REJECT' and a circular logo of a fish with water splashes.

We were founded in Durham in 1991 by a group of people who wanted to give discarded materials new life. From the beginning, The Scrap has achieved this through creative reuse retail, arts programming, education, exhibitions and community events. Last year, The Scrap diverted 795,843 pounds of material from the waste stream, received more than 21,000 material donations and sold nearly 975,000 items through our stores. Our Artist Market paid about $44,000 in commissions to artists. Our Cameron Gallery presented six exhibitions featuring nearly 70 artists last year. The Scrap also produced 100 programs and took our beloved blue barrels out into the community for dozens of outreach events.  

We all know about "Reuse, Reuse, Recycle."  Here at The Scrap we want to show that middle “R” a bit more love.  We’re proud to make used cool, and encouraging people to see something used and "love it again."