Boston, MA The Eco-Carpentry Challenge showcases projects designed and built by local high school students using recycled furniture provided by generous corporate donors. The goal of the annual challenge is to educate students and teachers about the value of recycling, while providing a creative opportunity for students to demonstrate their carpentry skills transforming old furniture into new products.

Schools participating in the challenge receive gently used furniture. Students (along with the help of their shop teacher/designated supervisor and mentors) will transform these materials into new and innovative products.

They can use woodworking and metal tools, biscuits, glue, screws, hardware, stain, sandpaper and paint, as needed. The furniture may be cut, planed and drilled to their project specifications. There are no project requirements or theme. Each team and individual is encouraged to be unrestrictedly creative.

To showcase each school’s new creations, The Furniture Trust hosts an evening in Boston where students, teachers and industry leaders gather to celebrate and network. The evening provides a forum for the students to present their work, mingle with industry professionals, and gives The Trust an opportunity to recognize these remarkably creative students. This years challenge will be held on May 4.

A panel of judges comprised of industry professionals will review the projects and choose the winners.

NEREJ will be the media sponsor this year. A range of sponsorship opportunities are still available as well as mentorships! Please join IFMA in supporting this wonderful annual event. Contact: [email protected].

The Furniture Trust is driven to make a positive, community impact with used office furnishings, while providing the most economical and environmentally responsible solutions to local businesses. They provide companies of all sizes with a proven process for decommissioning that maximizes the value of unwanted furniture assets. Leveraging their sustainable network, The Furniture Trust connects nonprofit organizations with excess office furnishings and much needed financial support from local businesses every day from their sustainable network. Nonprofits and schools receive essential office furnishings that make their staff and services more efficient, while investing more of their resources on their mission and improving the lives of others. Since their founding in 2008, their generous corporate contributors have donated more than $8 million worth of office furniture to The Trust, benefitting over 350 local nonprofits and schools.