Founded in 1991 to create a sustainable supply of high-quality, low-cost materials for artists, educators, and other creative people, The Scrap Exchange is a nonprofit focused on promoting creativity, environmental awareness, and community through reuse. In 2016, the nonprofit helped divert 266 tons of reusable materials from the waste stream and served 477,154 people at its Creative Reuse Center, which includes its retail store, an art gallery, classrooms, and a community garden. The Scrap Exchange is currently re-developing a 12.5 acre under-utilized shopping mall into the Reuse Arts District, a site it envisions housing new Scrap Exchange facilities and arts programs, as well as community gardens, a sculpture park, affordable housing, and other amenities.