The Earth School (P.S. 364 in New York City) began an extraordinary endeavor in the fall of 2008. The school community has come together to raise money for arts enrichment programs by recycling materials into useful gifts. So far, we’ve raised nearly $20,000.

The program began with a simple question, "how can we use the resources around us to increase students' exposure to the arts and towards stewardship of the planet?" We began by selling herbs from the school's garden, and have continued by collecting discarded materials that we make into sustainable gift items. Used newspapers no longer merely blow down Avenue B; leftover upholstery swatches aren't just last year's style. They've become The Earth School's door to dance classes, music appreciation, field trips and weekly cooking lessons.

The product range includes hand-sewn purses, backpack Earthlings dolls; hand strung necklaces, earrings and eyeglass chains; organic tea bags and, lip balm, local lavender in sachets and bath salts; re-purposed bags, aprons, and frames.

Every item sold is made by volunteers. All the money is put towards education. We sell the products at our school's craft sales and at Sustainable NYC, a store on Avenue A. Students of our Title 1 public elementary school, along with the local neighborhood, have enhanced their view of community by working toward a collective good, one in which nothing is discarded and honest team work and exchange of creative ideas can become something wonderful.

No amount of help is too small. If you’d like to contribute, here are some ways:

1. Donate sustainable materials in good condition (leftover, recyclable or found) and prepare them. Dumpster diving is encouraged, begging at businesses is supported.
2. Think up ideas for new products and make prototypes.
3. Prepare components for crafts (cutting fabric, separating beads, winding thread, etc).
4. Make the items. Sewing skills, baking ability or jewelry-making knowledge is needed and new skills would be welcome; wood carving, soldering, origami or graphics.
5. Help find and make packaging (ask local stores for small boxes, jars and bottles), make labels and pack crafts (presentation has been a key to success of this endeavor).
6. Sell at the school and outside retail outlets and craft fairs and suggest new sales outlets.
7. Organize and store materials and products.
8. Conduct COWtime clubs with students to make suitable items.
9. For information, contact Barbara Lakin at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 212.9950920