The Scrappy Elephant is an arts and crafts storefront and community that has helped to divert almost 30,000 pounds of unwanted materials and waste away from the landfill. They are also a Wild Virginia business partner, offering our donors 10% off art supplies when they show their Wild Virginia member card. 

Wild Virginia intern and University of Virginia student, Haley Freeborn, chats with The Scrappy Elephant owner, Sarah, about the importance diverting waste away from landfills has on methane levels and climate change.

Sarah is an artist, and becoming a parent is what fueled her passion for creating a better planet for future generations. There are many circular economy focused art stores across the country, but central Virginia was lacking one. Along with allowing arts and crafts materials to be given a second life, The Scrappy Elephant is also bringing art to families at affordable prices.

* AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DIVERT MATERIALS FROM THE LANDFILL? BECAUSE LANDFILLS ARE BAD FOR OUR HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT. IN 1988, THE EPA STATED ALL LANDFILLS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAK. THAT MEANS THAT RUNOFF CARRYING WITH IT TOXIC CHEMICALS FROM OUR WASTE, ENDS UP IN OUR WATER SUPPLIES. MANY COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING LANDFILLS HAVE HAD THEIR DRINKING WATER CONTAMINATED BY LEAKING LANDFILLS.

LANDFILLS ARE A MAJOR SOURCE OF METHANE. THE EPA ALSO FOUND LANDFILLS TO BE THE THIRD-LARGEST SOURCE OF HUMAN-RELATED METHANE EMISSIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. METHANE IS A GREENHOUSE GAS 86 TIMES MORE POTENT THAN CARBON DIOXIDE ACCORDING TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE, MAKING IT A POWERFUL CONTRIBUTOR TO OUR CLIMATE CRISIS.

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