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Utah’s one and only creative reuse center!

 
 

OUR MISSION

Clever Octopus Inc ™ is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering creativity and environmental awareness through art, science, technology, engineering, and math. Our multi-­tentacled approach includes the Clever Octopus Creative Reuse Center and the Octopod mobile outreach vehicle. Creative Reuse Center is a retail space with discounted art supplies

create art, waste less, and save money with us.

 
 

Love what we do? Write a review!

WHO WE SERVE

Multiple photos of artists, a youth sewing workshop, a business warehouse and educator supplies.

OUR IMPACT

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Through our waste diversion programs, individual donations and volunteers, we are able to save so many quirky, usable and unique treasures. Read more about our impact here.

 

CREATIVE REUSE BLOG

Blog
10 Sustainable Habits to Reduce Waste in 2021
10 Sustainable Habits to Reduce Waste in 2021

Let’s make 2021 the year you reevaluate your habits and see if there are new ways to reduce your carbon footprint, create less waste, and live more sustainably.

4 Ways to Reduce Waste When Decorating for the Holidays
4 Ways to Reduce Waste When Decorating for the Holidays

This year, we’re all spending more time at home and decorating for or finding ways to celebrate the holidays is a simple way to bring some joy into our lives. Here are four ways to reduce waste while bringing festive cheer into your home.

5 Reasons Clever Octopus STEAM Activity Kits Are The Perfect Gifts This Season 
5 Reasons Clever Octopus STEAM Activity Kits Are The Perfect Gifts This Season 

5 Reasons Clever Octopus STEAM Activity Kits Are The Perfect Gifts This Season. Hint: they’re cheap, full of quality thrift art supplies and will encourage loved ones to create using their imagination!

The Spooky Side of Halloween Decorating
The Spooky Side of Halloween Decorating

Haunted houses, corn mazes, horror films, witches, werewolves, goblins, ghouls, and perhaps the scariest of all, PLASTIC!

How to Make A Pencil Pouch
How to Make A Pencil Pouch

Tired of your plastic pencil case breaking with only a few uses? A great alternative is one made of cloth! Not only is it more sustainable but fun! Join us making some for our community partners at Granite School District,

How to teach Creative Reuse to Your Classroom
How to teach Creative Reuse to Your Classroom

By utilizing items in various ways teachers become a positive influence on how students think about the lives of materials.

The Creative REUSE Garden with Clever Octopus
The Creative REUSE Garden with Clever Octopus

This month Clever Octopus wants to highlight REUSE GARDENS and give our fellow Octo-people some ideas to create their own environmentally conscious, clever and whimsical oasis!

How Clever Octopus Responded to the COVID-19 Pandemic
How Clever Octopus Responded to the COVID-19 Pandemic

In April of 2020, Salt Lake City was declared closed by Mayor Mendanhall due to increased cases of COVID-19. Clever Octopus made the decision to close its shop and cancel all its programming on March 21, in an effort to flatten the curve of cases as well as to protect vulnerable staff and community members.

Clever Octopus Reimagines Pipette Tip Boxes
Clever Octopus Reimagines Pipette Tip Boxes

“With Clever Octopus’ “huge” stockpile of sanitized pipette tip boxes donated by the University of Utah, the question became, “what do we do with them?”

Clever Octopus Creative Reuse Center Celebrates New South Salt Lake Location with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Clever Octopus Creative Reuse Center Celebrates New South Salt Lake Location with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

On Jan 31, 2020, 12:00 p.m., Clever Octopus Creative Reuse Center officially opened its doors to artists, craftspeople, educators, and families with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new location at 2250 S W Temple in South Salt Lake.

big thanks to our sponsors and partners!

View our current partners | View our 2018 & 2019 partners