Empty Plastic Easter Eggs

Partnering with Seattle ReCreative

Seattle ReCreative is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit that promotes creativity, community, and environmental stewardship through creative reuse and arts education. Since 2014, they have diverted more than 1 million pounds of usable materials from the local waste stream. ReCreative collects traditional and nontraditional art materials to resell in their creative reuse center with proceeds going to support more art and less trash. Their classes, camps and events provide artists of all ages with access to a wide variety of creative materials and techniques. ReCreative hopes that their efforts will challenge others to think more broadly about interpersonal and global impact, and items donated by Ridwell members will help achieve this goal.

Partnering with The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse

Founded in 1979 by two Oakland public school teachers, the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse is a non-profit organization whose mission is to divert waste materials from landfills by collecting and redistributing discarded goods as low- or no-cost supplies for art, education, and social services in their retail store, while educating the public about the environmental benefits of reusing materials. Your donations of quality reusable materials are sorted and made available to customers through their retail store. In addition, several times throughout the year, they host free community giveaways of specific items.

Partnering with Portland Child Art Studio

Portland Child Art Studio supports children’s perceptual development through process-based art making. We are a creative reuse space, working primarily with donated and recycled materials that children transform into unique works of imagination. By placing emphasis on exploration over outcome, we empower young artists to build confidence, independence, and a creative voice. Our programs serve children across Portland, including those living in the low-income housing complex where our studio is located, ensuring access to high-quality art experiences regardless of financial circumstance. Through this combination of sustainability and inclusivity, we cultivate a studio culture where every child’s creative process is valued and celebrated. Items donated by Ridwell members help support PCAS many programs.

Partnering with My Good Brain

My Good Brain’s mission is to use art as a vehicle for change in teaching psychological tools for adaptive functioning in youth. The overall vision for My Good Brain is to show children a healthy, fun, and engaging way to take care of their mental health using art and play. My Good Brain was founded by Dr. Danessa Mayo, a California licensed clinical psychologist and visual artist who wanted to bridge her love and passion for both psychology and art. Dr. Mayo’s work with children and young adults has shown her the importance of highlighting mental and emotional wellness, and learning effective coping tools from an early age. Additionally, Dr. Mayo’s vision for My Good Brain focuses on coping skill learning through the medium of art-based activities and play. Items donated by Ridwell members will be incorporated into My Good Brain’s toolkit as part of their Art Activity program.

Partnering with Austin Creative Reuse

Partnering with Merlin Plastics

Merlin Plastics, a circular economy-focused plastic recycler servicing the U.S. and Canada, gives used plastic a new life, providing an alternative to virgin resin to be used by plastic manufacturers. Used plastics, like your plastic items collected by Ridwell, are shredded, washed, and pelletized into a post-consumer resin (PCR) at Merlin. Ultimately, PCR is used to make various commercial and industrial products like nursery planting pots, piping, and more. Merlin is committed to circularizing discarded packaging in an environmentally sound, economically efficient, and socially responsible fashion.

Partnering with Hydroblox, Inc.

HydroBlox creates commercial and industrial drainage solutions. HydroBlox manufactures drainage material in the shape of long planks made from 100% landfill-bound plastic. These planks help control water flow, directing rain and stormwater from under roadways and homes back to the aquifers where they belong. HydroBlox prides itself on its environmentally friendly manufacturing process which uses no glue, binders, chemicals or exhaust heat to bind together and it does not create dust or fumes. Even the water used for cooling the material is recycled and the scrap plastic is re-recycled. HydroBlox has been named one of the top mechanical recycling companies in the world by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.