Striking Inspiration: Turning Pins into Possibilities

What began as a routine waste audit at QubicaAMF Bowling in Lowville, NY, one of Casella’s valued customers for over two decades, evolved into a compelling example of resourcefulness, education, and environmental stewardship.

During a billing review, the Potsdam Hauling team noticed an unusually high load weight on a recent open-top container pickup. Prompted by this discrepancy, Market Area Controller Tim Platt initiated a deeper investigation. What he uncovered was unexpected, as the facility had recently discarded a large number of off-spec bowling pins, items no longer suitable for their original use, but still full of potential.

Recognizing a unique opportunity, Division Manager Doug Fry and local Territory Sales Representative Helen Sullivan visited the site and explored alternatives to disposal. The timing aligned with a creative insight from Platt, whose spouse, a local art teacher, was seeking unconventional, cost-effective materials to enrich her students’ classroom experience.

“Anytime we can find a way to divert materials away from the waste stream and promote sustainability is a win,” said Sullivan. “QubicaAMF Bowling is a core customer in our Lowville market. We recently even launched zero-sort recycling at this facility to help further advance their sustainability efforts.”

With the customer’s support, the team redirected a portion of the discarded pins to the school district. In the weeks that followed, students transformed these once-discarded objects into vibrant works of art. The results demonstrate the power of upcycling and the positive impact such initiatives can have on student engagement and learning.

“Art supplies are always increasing in price, and cool, different things can be expensive. Kids like to do more than just work on flat surfaces and finding materials that are economical to build 3D is a challenge without breaking the bank,” explained Sarah Platt, an art teacher at Hermon-Dekalb Central School, celebrating 27 years of educating local students. “The students were very excited about this new medium.”

Each striking work of pin art represented varying components of the art history curriculum they had been exploring, inspired by the bold strokes of Vincent van Gogh and other contemporary artists.

“You don’t need to be in an art room with an art teacher to create art,” she said. “Your options are endless if you’re willing to look at something being thrown away and see it in a different light.”

The unique collaboration between Casella, QubicaAMF, and Hermon-DeKalb Central School illustrates the profound impact of simple, localized actions. By finding a second life for single-use items, the team not only diverted waste from disposal but also enriched arts education and deepened community connections, a true testament to the power of innovative thinking and shared purpose.

“I can’t thank QubicaAMF enough for being open to the idea of working with me,” said Platt. “A good educator pushes themselves to become better, trying to find new strategies and resources to engage our students. As I near the end of my teaching career, I hope my students walk away with the ability to be inquisitive and, of course, with art, make the world a little prettier than they found it.”