When people think of thrift stores, racks of haphazardly organized clothes typically come to mind. However, there is a thrift store in Kansas City’s Midtown that offers so much more. ScrapsKC is a thrift store supplied by donations. They offer everything from sewing necessities to office supplies to mosaic and stained glass materials.

According to the ScrapsKC website, this unconventional thrift store is Kansas City’s “first creative reuse center.” ScrapsKC claims this title because they are not only the perfect place to donate any of your excess craft supplies, but they will also recycle your plastics. From the recycled plastics, they make crafting supplies such as weaving looms and paint pallets. Last time I visited ScrapsKC, they had also purchased a felting machine and had just begun recycling felt scraps, which will hopefully be available for purchase soon.

With new materials set out every week and a very kind suite of staff and volunteers, ScrapsKC is the kind of store you will want to visit often. The store is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 12 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Next time you find yourself needing materials for a new project, wanting to donate excess supplies or looking for inspiration, head down to ScrapsKC at 3269 Roanoke Rd in Kansas City, Missouri.

Photos by Alexis Harper.

Earth Day is an important day to reflect on our everyday actions that impact the planet we live on. The Earth Day 2022 theme encourages everyone to “Invest in Our Planet” by acting together for a greener future and to combat the climate crisis.

The Climate Council of Greater Kansas City is hosting the 2022 Earth Festival, the day after Earth Day on April 23 at Unity Temple on the Plaza in Kansas City. There is a full schedule planned and events will be available to attend in-person as well as online. Events include a Faith & Politics panel, Climate Fair, Restoration Garden Tours, Tree Give-away, Heart & Soil film festival and an Eco Art Exhibit. All of these events are free with online registration.

Along with the Earth Festival, there are also many scheduled cleanups around the Kansas City area that anyone can attend and participate in. 

The City of Liberty is also encouraging a “Team Up to Clean Up” Earth Day, coming together with friends or family to go on a walk with a trash bag and pick up all the trash you see, even posting pictures of your contribution to encourage others to help clean up our city.

Even if you are not able to attend these events, small changes in your daily routine can help to make our planet a greener one. One easy step you can take is to avoid single-use plastics, opting instead for reusable bags, silverware, straws and more that are made of alternative materials. Other practices that can be easily implemented are recycling the plastics you do use, donating and shopping at second hand stores, composting food scraps, growing your own garden, reducing electricity usage in your home and biking instead of driving as often.