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Scrap Traps

The old Scrap Lounge may be gone, but it lives on in the Scrap Traps: a new project that will make the materials you need more accessible and easier to share.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where are the Scrap Traps? The Traps are spread out around the College. Some are in studios, some are in hallways. During the initial roll-out, the intent is to see how they are used for a semester and then determine which locations make the most sense for students.
  • Can I use a Trap that’s not in my studio? ABSOLUTELY. We ask that students be reasonable and fair. Don’t clean them out and hoard the materials. They are for everyone! Take the things you need and add the things you no longer need or want.
  • Can anyone use the Traps, even non-design students? The Scrap Traps were created primarily for use by College of Design students who were bearing an unnecessary financial burden to acquire materials needed for their projects. We ask that the materials on these traps be reserved for student use, but if other students have a Design course, they may take and add to the Traps.
  • Can I move a Trap? The Traps may be moved slightly to accommodate rearranging studios, make space for pin-up, or as directed by faculty and/or staff. Otherwise, we ask students to come to the Materials Lab about a new location before moving a Trap.
  • Can I modify a Trap? The only modifications allowed at this time are through the taking and adding of different materials. Please do not modify the Traps in any other manner. However, new ideas are welcome, so please share them with the Materials Lab staff!

In the College of Design:

Materials Lab: Central Shelf

Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00am-5:00pm and 6:00pm-10:00pm; Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm; Saturday – Sunday: 1:00pm-5:00pm; Closed on most holidays
Location: 220 Leazar Hall, 2230 Stinson Dr, Raleigh, NC 27607

This shelf is located in the main room of the shop, in the basement of Leazar Hall. It works best for large pieces of wood, foam, acrylic, MDF, sheet metal, and poster board. Most of the shelf is open for all design students to take or leave items as needed. However, there is a section on the back designated for university use, and for students who have labeled their materials. This section is not for general consumption. The shelf is a great resource for shop newbies and pros alike, so if you want to keep your material, put your name on it!     

Materials Lab: Reservable Shelves

There are shelves available for students to reserve in the back room of the shop. They work best for students who have ongoing projects in the shop, and need to store their materials. Please reserve only one shelf at a time. To reserve a shelf, talk to Shop Director Jim Rains.

On other parts of NC State’s campus:

Dearstyne Convenience Site: https://recycling.ncsu.edu/dearstyne-convenience-site/

Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:00am-11:00am and 11:45am-3:00pm
Location: Listed on the Campus Map as the Attendant Station at Bulk Debris Site BD2, Ligon St.

The Dearstyne Convenience Site is a self-service site that accepts small amounts of bulk waste and recycling. There is no cost to use the site, but you must obtain a letter of permission from Waste Reduction and Recycling if materials are being delivered in a personal vehicle. All materials must be sorted into the proper roll off containers at the site. Materials may not be removed from the site, only delivered. Some of the acceptable materials for this site include brick, wood, plastics, cardboard, aluminum, and steel. Visit their webpage for a full list of acceptable items.  

The Scrap Exchange http://scrapexchange.org/

Hours: Sunday – Friday: 11:00am-7:00pm;  Saturday: 10:00am-7:00pm
The Scrap Exchange accepts drop-off donations from 11:00am-6:30pm seven days/week.
Contact: (919)688-6960

The Scrap Exchange is a nonprofit organization with a mission to promote creativity, environmental awareness, and community through reuse. They are an established and beloved resource for NC designers who need cheap, unique, eco-friendly materials. Their warehouse and thrift store are a treasure trove of recycled goods, and an excellent place to discard leftover materials. Visit their website to see a list of acceptable donation items.

Scrap Exchange Creative Reuse Arts Center
2050 Chapel Hill Road
Durham, NC 27707
919-688-6960

Scrap Thrift
2020 Chapel Hill Road, Suite 31
Durham, NC 27707
919-402-8989

Habitat for Humanity Raleigh ReStore

Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00am-6:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm; Sunday: Closed
Location: 2420 N. Raleigh Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604
Contact: (919)833-6768
Instagram: @wakerestore

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home. It’s a great opportunity to volunteer and give back to your community while honing your construction skills. They accept donations of household items and construction materials at all ReStore locations. Visit their website for more donation guidelines.

Wake County Convenience Center

Hours: Daily: 7:00am-7:00pm
Location: Visit their website and use the Waste & Recycling Drop-off Locator to find the nearest facility to you.
Contact: 
(919) 856-7400

Wake County’s Solid Waste Management Division provides waste disposal and recycling services to residents and businesses in Wake County. Some acceptable donation items include books, cardboard, clothing and shoes, glass, electronics, plastics, and paper. Visit their webpage to view Drop off Options and the full Quick Reference Waste Guide.

Reimagining Recycled Materials

Our previous Scrap Lounge was on the ground floor of Brooks Hall, hard to find and difficult for students in studios across campus to access. It often accumulated leftover materials that no one knew about or used, and, eventually, those materials ended up going to waste.

To address these problems, graphic design student Abbey Carr created and designed the Scrap Trap during the summer of 2018. Now students will no longer have to go to a basement across campus to get their stuff, and we are doing our part to keep valuable resources out of landfills!

Abby Carr with Scrap Traps