Shrub Coop

General information

The SHRUB is a community-led cooperative working to reduce waste, share skills and promote a smarter, more sustainable way of meeting peoples’ material needs. And you can be part of it!! Become a member today and support our vision of a world without waste http://www.shrubcoop.org/become-a-member/.

It provides an opportunity to swap or buy second-hand items, as well as facilities to fix and learn how to give things a new life. The SHRUB serves as a platform for any groups and activities that are related to sustainability and improving the well-being of the local community.

Our aim is to: ” …raise awareness of and minimise the generation of waste items by the student population and local community, especially items which could be easily repaired or reused. The SHRUB aims to enable not only students but alumni, local residents and the wider community in Edinburgh, to take part in and organise re-use initiatives, redistributing those items that might be discarded, and challenging the prevailing culture of consumption and disposal…”

What can you do @ SHRUB?

1) SWAP (or BUY) STUFF – Bring that jacket that’s a size too big and swap it for something you need! If you don’t have anything to swap, you can buy items, don't getting them new – save the planet and your wallet!

2) FIX and BUILD STUFF – You can sign up to one of our workshops that aim to cater for all skill levels and interests. Learn how to fix clothes, install open source software, build DIY solar panels among other things – as well as get ideas on how to revamp unused items. Alternatively, you can use the drop-in space independently where a workspace assistant will help you in using tools and the bike-fixing station. There are also plenty of opportunities to get involved in building stuff for the SHRUB premises.

3) LEARN LOADS – Not only can you learn about fixing certain items at a workshop, but you are able to learn about the wider issues related to sustainability and material flows. Film screenings, open presentations and discussions will provide food for thought and ways towards change.

4) CONNECT – The Shrub is about swapping and re-using, but it is also a HUB. A friendly and social area for people to get together, relax, revise, drop in for a coffee or tea . What makes us different from any charity shop or web-based re-use services is that you can run the SHRUB as a member and socialize in it. You can meet all sorts of people interested in the broad range of themes that the Shrub encompasses. At the Shrub you will be able to learn of the plethora of exciting projects and groups that aim to promote sustainability or the well-being of the community!

A social space, a place to get together and share skills.

5) GET WORK EXPERIENCE - As SHRUB is run as a legally constitued Co-operative business, run by members for members, you can get involved in running a proper business while gaining valuable experience to enhance your CV. Types of roles the cooperative requires include Volunteer Managers, Accountants, Directors, a secretary, Website developers, Communication and Outreach facilitators, and many more opportunities

Drop by @ 13 Guthrie street, Edinburgh.and find out more!

We are funded by the Climate Challenge Fund, you can find out more about them on their website www.climatechallengefund.org or on their Facebook: Climate Challenge Fund or Twitter:CCFScot