MISSION: Promote
and support the development of reusable resource centers.
Reusable Resources Association is a unique informal community of environmental, educational, and business leaders working together to provide exciting open-ended materials to support creative "hands-on" teaching and life long learning.
"Makes sense for children and so developmentally appropriate. Makes sense for business which can contribute to a cleaner environment for all of us. Just good common sense. Makes financial sense. It ought to happen everywhere.”
David Lawrence, Chair
Children’s Movement of Florida
Throughout our nation businesses and manufacturers dispose of their unwanted by-products, overruns, and reject items into landfills and incinerators. And yet, just down the street within every community, school teachers are having to buy their own classroom materials because of education budget cutbacks.
Reusable resource centers are sustainable, cost effective innovative partnerships that locate, collect, and redistribute a variety of unique and enjoyable materials to inspire and support creativity and innovation in education. They serve children, teachers, parents, artists, and others members of local schools, child care centers, Head Start & after school programs, and assisted living facilities,....a win-win-win for education, business, and the environment!
"RRA works to educate people on the importance of giving valuable resources - " STUFF” - a second chance to be useful. I believe we are caretakers of our earth and we have a responsibility to demonstrate the wise use of resources for the benefit of our future generations. RRA gives us an opportunity to educate our fellow humans about the power and use of business discards as art materials, unique play things, and tools to activate the imagination and the creativity of children and adults."
Bobby Brown
Artist & ISAE Master Play Coach, Extras for Creative Learning
Brain reserch and common sense says children learn best through "hands-on" self active sensory experiences. Children develop essential life skills in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) through creative play. Self esteem and social competence are advanced through joyful, concrete cooperative learning.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR BUSINESS?
Most businesses generate an abundance of unwanted waste products, obsolete and discontinued items, and pay a costly fee to dispose of these items. By donating to a reuse center, businesses reduce disposal costs, improve their bottom line, help their own community, and communicate a strong message to employees and stock holders that the company is not only in business to make a profit. In this way, they help to create a win-win-win situation for the company, the community and the environment.
"RRA is an eclectic group of programs working together to share ideas and support the ethic of reuse. We realize the importance of respecting each individual’s approach to learning and discovery. Local resource centers make a difference by providing a wealth of materials that create unique educational possibilities for empowering whole communities."
Sue Blandford
St. Louis Techers' Recycle Center, ISAE Master Play Coach
Sue Blandford
St. Louis Techers' Recycle Center, ISAE Master Play Coach