Houston Center for Creative Reuse

Formed in Houston, Texas in December 2009 by grade school teachers' kids, the Houston Center for Creative Reuse (aka The Center for Recycled Art) is a 501c3 organization. The Center receives donations of clean scrap and reusable art and craft supplies from Houston's citizens and businesses. Since its inception, the Center has diverted more than 1,500,000 pounds of reusable materials from Houston's landfills. These materials are used in the Center's educational programs and sponsored projects, like the Teacher Store. The Center offers structured educational opportunities for students and organizations in the Greater Houston area. Participants receive instruction in repurposing waste materials and have hands-on opportunities to create age-appropriate recycled art.

Our Teacher Store Shopping Events are open to public school teachers and other nonprofits in the Greater Houston area. Shoppers receive a significant discount from regular retail pricing, plus lots of free stuff -- only for teachers! Although the inventory varies based on donations, teachers can regularly choose from: fabric, yarn, architectural samples, office supplies, scrapbooking paper and cutouts, wrapping paper, law books, slides and slide carousels ... and lots of other stuff for creative reuse!

Our community partner, the Texas Art Asylum, receives all donations on our behalf and offers items of higher value for consignment sale in their retail store. Processing incoming donations and preparing them for sale is an ongoing challenge.