A Guide to Materials Donations

Blocks, sticks and capsDuring a normal manufacturing process an industry often creates material that is not needed in the finished product.  If no outside need is found for these materials, it may go to a landfill.

But for educators who understand the importance of “open-ended” materials, these are not “trash”, but “treasure”.

 

YOU ARE THE ANSWER.  Corporations and business partners have a significant role and opportunity to support education, educators and parents in providing open-ended play experiences.

  • Corporations can be leaders in supporting the development of material resource centers across the county.
  • Businesses can help their communities provide richer reusable resources and play experiences for children and teachers.

The Institute for Self Active Education is available to help communities begin the process of starting a system to identify, gather and distribute open-ended materials. The Institute for Self Active Education can help a community get on the path to realizing a local community reusable resource center. The Institute for Self Active Education also provides play training, both in person and in virtual sessions.

In Brevard County, Florida there is an opportunity to donate reusable resources. The Reusable Resources Adventure Center in West Melbourne provides play training and open-ended material resources to teachers and parents across the county.  If you have material you think would be useful please tell us about them here.

What Are Some Materials Businesses Donate?

  • Injection molding pieces, cast-offs, overruns, byproducts
  • Electronics pieces, containers
  • Spools, spindles, turnings, gears wheels, springs
  • Ceramic pieces, tiles, magnets, caps
  • Wire, wire harnesses, rope, nuts, bolts, hardware
  • Framing end cuts, bamboo poles, corks, swizzle sticks
  • Medical coolers, containers, unused tubing, serum bottle tops
  • Buttons, beads, lace, thread, yarn, fabric, sample books, swatches
  • Paper of any size and weight, contact paper, billboard signs
  • Mat board, foam off-cuts, foam core board
  • Event decorations, promotional items, giveaways
  • Game board pieces, playing cards, jigsaw puzzle pieces
  • Office supplies, equipment, craft tools, paint brushes
  • Cardboard, cigar boxes, buckets, bubble wrap, shipping tubes

These are just a few ideas that may trigger ideas of your own for available materials. We appreciate the added benefit for all of us, when offering your unneeded open-ended reusable resources gives them another life, another use.
Please talk to us about any concerns you have for condition of potential resources.