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Trash To Art Treasure

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By KLINT LOWRY

The Suncoast News

Published: January 3, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - Pasco County Schools is looking for donations of scrap, junk and leftover stuff.

More specifically, the Creation Station is putting out a call for reusable materials of all kinds that can be used in classroom art and crafts projects.

Located at the District School Board of Pasco County offices, 7227 Land O' Lakes Blvd., Building 5A, the Creation Station has been a resource for district teachers, as well as local nonprofit groups, for about 15 years. It is a member of the Florida Reusable Resources Network, a group of 18 centers across the state dedicated to collecting reusable materials and putting them to creative, educational use.

The center is usually filled with materials of all kinds - paper, plastic, wood, cardboard, wallpaper and fabric swatches, artificial flora, cans, boxes, bottles and various materials that would otherwise end up in someone's trash can but instead can become parents' and grandparents' cherished keepsakes.

Currently, however, the center is experiencing a shortage in almost everything, as the demand for materials has gone up and donations have gone down since the start of the school year.

"The last three months have been a record," said Karen Bryant, the school district's recycling coordinator. Center staff keeps a record of who takes what and when, in large part to anticipate what materials will likely be most in demand in the future. Teachers and group leaders can take up to 75 pounds per visit. In the past three months, 3,500 pounds of reusable materials have been claimed.

"I think it's just need," Bryant said. With the economy the way it is, teachers can't spend money out-of-pocket for the materials. The center has also been publicized more within the district, so there are many more teachers discovering the place and becoming regular customers than ever before.

"Probably 90 percent of the stuff goes back into the district," Bryant said. Of the nonprofit groups that regularly use the center, many of them are also regular contributors.

The center also has some regular contributors, businesses and individuals. With the increase in demand, Bryant and her staff are hoping to find more supply sources. Anyone who has a small business may regularly have otherwise useless scrap materials that would be welcome at the center, she said. A good example is David Michael Leather in Port Richey.

"His company makes leather luggage tags," Bryant said. He donates the pieces that are cut out, little rectangular leather patches a couple of square inches in size, seemingly useless. But whenever he drops off a batch, they get scooped up quickly.

Simple things such as newer magazines, cardboard tubes or egg cartons are like gold when it comes to school projects, Bryant said. Pieces of wallpaper or gift wrap that may not be usable in their intended purposes can be used countless ways.

The center is usually only open for teachers to pick up materials on the first Thursday of each month.

Whether the motivation is to cut down on waste or to help teachers and students, the Creation Station will be happy to accept art and craft supplies; binders; newer books; ceramics; compact discs; computer games; computer accessories; corkboards; decorations; desktop accessories; egg cartons; fabric; file folders; silk or dried flowers; glass jars; vases; greeting cards; markers; metal containers; craft paints; paper of all colors and sizes; paper clips; picture frames; pencils; pens; plastic containers; posters; thread; tile; tissue paper; trophies; rubber bands; seasonal items; wallpaper; wood; wrapping paper; or yarn.

The center does not accept furniture or pill bottles and very little in the way of electronic items. Donations can be brought in during business hours or left on the building's front porch.

To have donations picked up from a home or business or for any questions about Creation Station, contact Bryant at (813) 794-2752 or kbryant@pasco.k12.fl.us.

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