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MECCA: Materials Exchange Center for the Community Arts
- Date Published:
- December 5, 2010
About M.E.C.C.A
M.E.C.C.A., the Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts, is a nonprofit organization located in Eugene, Oregon.
Our mission: MECCA is dedicated to diverting scrap materials from the waste stream and into the creative endeavors of our community. MECCA provides access to low-cost arts programming in an inclusive environment that enhances the cultural life of Lane County.
The Store
MECCA operates a recycled art supply store where you can find fun materials such as flooring and wallpaper samples, corks and bottle caps, glass and ceramic pieces, fabric scraps, used cards and calendars, and much more. We collect these items from Lane County businesses, artists, and individuals; most of what we sell would have been destined for the trash bin if it hadn't found its way onto our shelves!
General Information
HOW DOES THE MATERIALS EXCHANGE WORK?
MECCA's store acts as a clearinghouse for scraps and discards that can be reused in art. Local businesses, artists, and individuals donate these materials to MECCA; we sort them and sell them at very low prices!
STORE LOCATION:
449 Willamette St. -- right next to the Amtrak Station.
OPEN HOURS:
Tuesdays 10am-3pm
Wednesdays 10am-3pm Thursdays 10am-3pm & 6pm-9pm
Saturdays 11am-3pm
Special appointments and pickup service may be available for large donation or purchases. Please call 541-302-1810 for more information.
WHO CAN SHOP AT MECCA?
Anyone! The store is open to the public.
HOW DO I DONATE MATERIALS?
Below is a fairly extensive list of the kind of materials MECCA accepts. Please drop off donations DURING STORE OPEN HOURS ONLY. If those times aren't convenient for you, you may call us at 541-302-1810 to make alternative arrangements.
Scrap Materials:
What You Will Find at MECCA
Many of things that we throw away could be reused instead. Read the list below and start saving your re-usable discards for donation to MECCA's store!
Please contact us before you donate.
We accept materials as space allows. 541-302-1810 or info@materials-exchange.org
Textiles
Yarn and thread
Fabric pieces and scrap
Unmatched socks
Paper
Nature & artist's magazines
Old greeting cards, post cards
Outdated calendars
Posters
Office paper used on one side
Other colorful/vintage paper scrap
Wood
Plywood pieces (at least 1' by 1')
Plastics
Colorful bottle caps
Film canisters
CDs and vinyl records
Empty plastic bottles with screw-on lids
Metal
Metal bottle caps
Metal tops from frozen juice containers
Coffee cans
Altoids and other tins
Old keys Wire (plastic coating is okay)
Other metal scrap
Glass & Ceramics
Tile, dishes, mirrors, figurines
Baby food jars
Miscellaneous
Wine corks
Leftover house paint (in good condition)
Old candles, wax, & crayons
Refrigerator magnets
Broken jewelry, watches
Musical instrument parts
Buttons, beads, feathers
Picture frames
Crayons, markers, and paint brushes
Foam core
Burlap sacks (e.g., rice sacks)
Wallpaper
Other tubes, gadgets and gizmos
Other unused materials for arts & crafts
Other findings, trinkets
Artist's supplies & discards
Leftover paints
Drawing paper used on one side
Used canvasses
Scrap artist's glass
Matt board
Other art supplies
Business waste
Sticky vinyl (sign shops)
Fabric and wallpaper sample books
Flooring samples (wood, vinyl, linoleum, tile)
Plexiglass numbers from gas station signs
