Everyone’s Resource Depot has been a gem on the University of Maine at Farmington campus since 1979. With recycling and reducing waste becoming an environmental necessity, the ERD offers a wealth of reusable items and the inspiration to use them. Mary Ryan has been the force behind the depot since the early 80s. According to the Daily Bulldog, Ryan, who has a background in Environmental Studies, said her work at the ERD has fit nicely with her passions in life. The materials come from donations from all over the community—individuals, big businesses—a little bit of everything.
Students, faculty, staff and members of the public come to collect materials to create lesson plans, research projects, and holiday crafts. “Just because something has reached the limit of its creativity for one person doesn’t mean somebody else can’t see something different,” said Ryan.