FAQ
Why should I pay for trash?
T4T materials are donated by local manufacturers, and businesses. The minimal cost of buying our materials by the pound or through a membership merely helps to defray the cost of collecting, sorting, and storing the materials. By purchasing these materials you are actually purchasing our services, and you are supporting a valuable resource and local non-profit. In return you get an amazing selection of wonderful clean, safe, materials that would otherwise be wasted in a landfill. We hope to secure the funding one day that will allow us to give these great materials away for free, but in the meantime we appreciate your support!
Where do you get your trash?
The majority of our beautiful and unique “dumpster diamonds” are donated to us by manufacturers. Imagine a thread spool once the thread is used; thousands of pounds of thread spools are discarded every day by our local Los Angeles knitting industry. Almost all of our materials were destined for landfill as they are obsolete, having already served their purpose in the manufacturing process. A small portion of our materials are donated by individuals or businesses who wish to give their surplus to an organization that will use their things for educational or artistic purposes.
This isn’t trash, why would anyone throw it away?
a) Manufacturing requires products be generated in bulk. Rolls of newsprint are sold to printing factories weighing around 1200 pounds. By the time they are donated to T4T, they may weigh 10-20 pounds; approximately 1% of the original weight. That small roll of newsprint is no longer productive for printing newspapers, but that same 20 pound roll of newsprint might last a classroom an entire year.
b) The item has already served its purpose. Some of our materials such as plastic and cardboard cones, cores, and tubes were created to act as a spool for thread, fabric, ribbon, tubing or Mylar. Since these items have already dispensed the material wrapped around it, it has already served its purpose and is of no value to manufacturing processes.
c) Samples. The bright, colorful credit card-sized plastic chips, and 12” squared pieces of fabric we have were originally used as samples to demonstrate that particular product to a potential client of the manufacturer.
d) Mass produced scraps. We get the tail-ends of fabric, cardboard, upholstery, and foam that are odd shapes and sizes – perfect for a creative environment.
e) Imperfections. Clients of manufacturers expect perfection in the products they purchase. These “imperfections” aren’t detectible, or simply aren’t important to the rest of us.
How can I help?
a) Donate money
b) Donate your services – Trash for Teaching can always use the help of your business’ services such as printing, advertising, etc.
c) Donate your time – Trash for Teaching needs volunteers to do a variety of things from materials collection, to office work, to photo documentation of our progress, to assisting with workshops, special events and parties. Please call or email us for specifics!
d) Donate materials – If you or your company would like to donate materials, please fill out and fax the Donations form, we’ll contact you to discuss. You may also email kathy@trashforteaching.org
Does Trash for Teaching do birthday parties? Yes we do!
T4T’s inspiring space provides the perfect venue for a fun and creative party. Please email kathy@trashforteaching.org with details, dates and to obtain pricing.
