Red, Green and Blue, I have plastic markers, what should I do?

What should you do with your kids’ spent plastic markers? Throw them in the garbage? I have plastic markers, what should I do??

I love to colour and draw with my kids. They have crayons and colouring pencils, but they are especially drawn to their markers. What I don’t like about markers is that they are all plastic. So, what’s the most responsible way of disposing of your markers?

Did you know that Crayola has a program called ColourCycle, where they work with schools from K to 12 to collect markers to repurpose them? If you didn’t know about this, you are not alone. I’m just learning about their program myself. I was going through my kids’ box of art supplies and there were many uncapped, dry plastic makers and I thought, there must be a better option than throwing them out. So, I emailed Crayola to find out what to do. They quickly responded with information on their ColourCycle program.

About the ColorCycle program

The ColorCycle program is as easy as 1, 2, 3).

1. You collect spent markers through your school. Crayola accepts all brands of markers, highlighters and dry erase markers too.
2. You pack the old markers in cardboard boxes and have them ready for shipping.
3. Print a shipping label (available for registered schools) and schedule pick up or drop them off at FedEx.

Crayola even provides you with the tools need such as educational resources for the kids, a template letter for the schools to send to the parents as well as posters for the drop boxes.

So, what happens to the spent plastic markers?

I poked around the website and didn’t find much information on exactly what the markers are repurposed into. I also emailed them back looking for more information and Crayola provided the following:

Thank you for reaching back out to us about Crayola(R) ColorCycle. While our processes are not shared, I would be happy to provide some additional information below.

In addition to decreasing reliance on landfills, the ColorCycle program uses the most advanced conversion technologies available to generate electricity and make wax compounds for asphalt and roofing shingles. At Crayola, we continue to explore new technologies and strive to improve our efforts to recycle, repurpose products, and preserve resources. 

They seem to be a bit tight-lipped about what they do with the collected plastic makers. Whatever the reason, diverting tonnes of plastic from landfills is still a worthwhile pursuit.

How to Register

Schools must first register (here’s the link) to participate. The ColorCycle program is available in the US, and yes, and in Canada too (great eh?). Just check if it’s available in your area because it’s not available in all provinces. You can check to see if it’ available in your read with this link.

Let’s Take Action

I’m involving my family as part of my Zero Waste Experiment, and getting my son involved in this project is a great experience for him.

I am emailing the principle about the ColorCycle program and see if the School is interested.

So, now you know the answer to the burning question : I have plastic markers, what should I do? What are you going to do? Here use this template letter to help you get this initiative started at your child’s school.

Email Template

Dear [Principal’s Name]

I found this great Crayola Marker Recycling program called ColourCycle which I thought might be a great environmental initiative for [School Name].

ColourCycle is a school program devised to repurpose spent markers rather than sending them to landfills.
Here’s how it works:

1. You collect spent plastic markers throughout the school. Crayola accepts all brands of markers, highlighters and dry erase markers too.
2. You pack the old markers in cardboard boxes and have them ready for shipping.
3. Print a shipping label (available for registered schools) and schedule a pickup or drop them off at FedEx.

To get Crayola ColorCycle started at [School Name], you first need to register. I already checked and it would be available in our area.  Here is a link to the ColorCycle program to learn more:  https://www.crayola.com/colorcycle.aspx.

ColourCycle is a great way to help kids understand the importance of their role in protecting the environment and to get involved.

I’d be happy to help with launching this initiative in any way I can.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

In conclusion

The ColorCycle is a great initiative, and as a corporation, I think it’s the responsible thing for them to do. I’d rather have those spent makers shipped off to be repurposed than to have them sent to the landfills.

Do you know if your school participates in the ColorCycle program? If not, will you take the initiative and introduce it?