Meet 'Reusey Lucy' and 'Buttercup': Materials for the Arts Unveils New Names for Fully Electric Truck and Van Chosen by Third Graders from PS 17 in Queens

For Immediate Release: June 25, 2026

Contact: [email protected]

MEET "REUSEY LUCY" AND "BUTTERCUP": MATERIALS FOR THE ARTS UNVEILS NEW NAMES FOR FULLY ELECTRIC TRUCK AND VAN CHOSEN BY THIRD GRADERS FROM PS 17 IN QUEENS

The new, fully electric vehicles - part of the city's committment to create a more sustainable, energy-efficient fleet - will expand MFTA's ability to collect and deliver donated materials from donors and members across the city

Photos of the student naming activity and unveiling are available here .

The MFTA team gathers with third grade students and teachers at P.S.17 in Queens. Photo courtesy of MFTA.

Queens, NY - Materials for the Arts (MFTA), a program of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, has officially announced the new names of the program's fully electric truck and van: "Reusey Lucy" and "Buttercup." The new names for the vehicles were submitted by third-grade students from P.S. 17 in Queens during their field trip to MFTA earlier this year, where students learned about sustainability, upcycling, and creative reuse artmaking. Acquired in partnership with the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the electric truck and van are essential to MFTA's operations, collecting donated materials from across the city and making them available free of charge to arts nonprofits, public schools, and city agencies throughout the five boroughs. Emblazoned with MFTA's logo, the bright yellow and white vehicles can be spotted making stops at donors and MFTA material recipients across the city - collecting and delivering items that fuel affordable, accessible arts programming in all five boroughs, while diverting material from the waste stream.

MFTA's fully electric truck, Reusey Lucy, at P.S. 17 in Queens. Photo courtesy of MFTA.

"Materials for the Arts makes amazing things happen in art spaces, classrooms, and other community anchors across our entire city - inspiring artists, supporting educators, and putting affordable, accessible arts programs within reach for countless New Yorkers," said NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Diya Vij. "We are proud to welcome Buttercup and Reusey Lucy to the MFTA team, named by students whose field trip to MFTA embodies the incredible impact that MFTA's education programs have in all five boroughs."

"Welcome Reusey Lucy and Buttercup to the city's growing green fleet!" said Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Yume Kitasei. "Materials for the Arts is a meaningful program, and we are proud to partner in supporting its mission and the city's overall effort to employ cleaner and more efficient vehicles across government."

"We're proud to celebrate MFTA's fully electric vehicles as an extension of our mission to sustainably support arts and culture in New York City," said MFTA Executive Director Tara Sansone. "MFTA diverts millions of pounds of items from landfill each year, and engaging students around the naming of our electric vehicles helps inspire the next generation to think more deeply and creatively about reuse, sustainability, and the environment."

Third grade students from P.S. 17 in Queens at MFTA for a field trip and van naming activity. Photo courtesy of MFTA.

Earlier this year, a third-grade class from P.S. 17Q visited MFTA for a field trip, where students learned about MFTA's electric truck and van and were invited to help name the vehicles. During the visit, students also learned about MFTA's mission of giving discarded materials a second life and redistributing them to support New York City's arts and education communities. To participate in the naming activity, students created their very own van and truck collage art and placed their name suggestions into a miniature papier-mâché MFTA truck. MFTA staff then reviewed the submissions and selected the winning names for the electric vehicles.

MFTA's fully electric van, Buttercup, at P.S. 17 in Queens. Photo courtesy of MFTA.

Yesterday, students gathered in front of the school to view the vehicles in person and see their names revealed by the MFTA education team and staff. MFTA also delivered fabric and supplies to support the school's arts department with sets and costuming.

Students exploring the supplies from the MFTA warehouse for the arts department at P.S. 17 in Queens. Photo courtesy of MFTA.

Acquired through DCAS, MFTA's electric vehicles underscore its mission and the city's commitment to reducing New York's greenhouse gas output. As part of efforts to transition the city's fleet to cleaner technologies, DCAS is continuing to lead in fleet electrification and greener operations. This year, DCAS announced its latest Clean Fleet Transition Plan report, outlining continued progress toward electrifying the city's municipal fleet and expanding the use of zero-emission vehicles.

Students submitting their electric vehicle name ideas into a papier-mâché MFTA truck. Photo courtesy of MFTA.

Operating from a 35,000-square-foot warehouse in Long Island City, Queens, MFTA collects millions of pounds of donated supplies each year from businesses and individuals across New York City and redistributes them free of charge to thousands of member organizations. MFTA receives and distributes donations collected by its truck and van fleet and makes them available for member organizations to 'shop' in the MFTA warehouse for a range of supplies, including furniture, fabric, paper, mannequins, electronics, theater equipment, paint, buttons, and beads, to support arts, education, and community programming.

MFTA's truck (Reusey Lucy) and van (Buttercup) with new bumper stickers. Photos courtesy of MFTA.

Last year alone, MFTA collected more than 4.1 million pounds of materials, valued at nearly $17 million, and distributed them to 2,500 member organizations, schools, and public agencies citywide. On average, each member received roughly $6,800 worth of supplies at no cost, helping stretch budgets while keeping valuable materials out of landfills.

During the end of the school year, MFTA encourages schools with leftover supplies to donate to MFTA. Teachers can also participate in MFTA's summer professional development courses to earn P-Credits and learn how to infuse art and creative projects across subject areas.

MFTA shopping is by appointment only. Organizations interested in receiving supplies from MFTA can visit MFTA's website to submit a membership application. NYC public school teachers can contact their principal to ensure their school's MFTA account is up-to-date and to be added to their school's account. Visit www.nyc.gov/mfta to learn more.

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About Materials for the Arts (MFTA)
A program of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, with support from the Department of Education and Friends of Materials for the Arts, MFTA is NYC's largest reuse center supporting nonprofits with arts programming, public schools, and City agencies. MFTA collects millions of pounds of supplies each year which it provides, free of charge, to its member organizations. In addition to providing materials, MFTA has the MFTA Education Center, Gallery, Artist-in-Residence and Designer-in-Residence programs, and Third Thursday public programming, which are supported by Friends of Materials for the Arts. Learn more at www.nyc.gov/mfta.

About NYC Department of Cultural Affairs
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to supporting and strengthening New York City's vibrant cultural life. DCLA works to promote and advocate for quality arts programming and to articulate the contribution made by the cultural community to the City's vitality. The Department represents and serves non-profit cultural organizations involved in the visual, literary, and performing arts; public-oriented science and humanities institutions including zoos, botanical gardens, and historic and preservation societies; and creative artists at all skill levels who live and work within the City's five boroughs. DCLA also provides donated materials for arts programs offered by the public schools and cultural and social service groups, and commissions permanent works of public art at City-funded construction projects throughout the five boroughs. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/culture.