Since the SCRAP Bin first opened its doors in late 2010r, it has helped numerous local teachers and creatives turn what was one person’s trash into unique works of art.
The Bin, which is in association with Keep Carroll Beautiful, was made possible by funding from the Community Foundation of West Georgia, and it traces its roots back to the formation of the SCRAP Bin Board of Directors in October of 2009.
This is how it works. Artists, businesses and individuals from the area and surrounding communities donate materials to the bin. Donations can range from early 20th century glass soda bottles to bolts of fabric to old Monopoly games whose pieces have long since vanished. It doesn’t matter. For the most part, as long as it’s not likely to attract bugs, the Bin will take it.
Anyone looking for materials can then come and browse. Namely, teachers from across the region are encouraged to stop in to take advantage of the supplies, which are given to educators at no charge or for dramatically reduced rates. Artists and others who have a creative spark are charged pennies on the dollar for whatever scraps they want.
Currently housed in the two back rooms of Keep Carroll Beautiful’s office on Folds Drive in Carrollton, the Bin is certainly not lacking in raw materials. People are taking advantage too, said Jacqueline Dost, the head of Keep Carroll Beautiful, and that’s a good thing for the local environment. After all, she said, if these items were thrown away with the garbage, there’s no doubt where they’d ultimately end up.
“This is keeping items out of our landfills,” she said. “That’s important.”
The SCRAP Bin is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Visit the Bin’s website at www.scrapbin.org.
There's something really affirming about seeing trash/recyclables made into art.
