Philadelphia, Pa — The Resource Exchange is Philadelphias creative reuse center, established in 2009 by Karyn Gerred to address the waste generated by the theater and film industry. “Any play, any movie that you see, all of the scenes all of the backdrops, everything that has to be made to create that environment,” explains Gerred. “Very short-term productions, long term consequences.”
Although the Resource Exchange still offers plenty of props, it has expanded to include supplies for many different types of creatives. “We often say’everything from two-by-fours to glitter,'” says Gerred. “The sheer amount of just good, useful, valuable materials that someone could be using to make other things.”
Unlike typical thrift or resale stores, where profits fund the mission, The Resource Exchange itself is at the forefront of its cause. “Our focus is really on art and the environment,” Gerred emphasizes.
The Resource Exchange is open to everyone from teachers and builders to those who simply want to start a new hobby without breaking the bank.