The Resource Exchange

Creative reuse organizations across the country improve the environment, enhance the arts and culture of their communities, and contribute to local, sustainable economies. A creative reuse center in Philadelphia was long overdue, so The Resource Exchange was founded in 2009 to fill this need. Our initial efforts were focused on spurring more sustainable practices within the local arts and entertainment industries. Building and tearing down film and theater sets, like traditional construction and demolition, uses a tremendous amount of resources which often end up in landfill. Building and art materials, unique set pieces and props, costumes and fabrics, and many types of housewares and home improvement items are used temporarily, and then discarded. After completion of the green production guide SETS (Setting Entertainment Toward Sustainability), The Resource Exchange began targeting the long term environmental consequences of short term productions. With a dedicated all volunteer staff , we started salvaging set materials out of temporary storage spaces, and then a short term lease in The Philadelphia Navy Yard where many local films have been built and shot. In our first year, The Resource Exchange saved over 30 tons of what was once considered “waste” for reuse, and helped to divert over 600 tons of additional material previously destined for our region’s landfills for recycling. When the Navy Yard proved to be a bit too small and inaccessible for the community, we moved to 2829 Cedar Street in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, in an effort to expand our outreach and continue putting an increasingly diverse amount of valuable, reusable material back into the local economy. We are now open six days a week at our new location, 1701 N. 2nd St. Find out how to shop, donate, recreate, or get involved!