If you or your child happens to be in a classroom this year that goes through markers (read: a classroom of any kind), then Crayola has an interesting proposition for you: It will recycle all those old markers for you, even if they weren’t made by Crayola.
Crayola’s ColorCycle program is designed to “help kids understand the importance of their role in protecting the environment.” Through the program kids and teachers at K-12 schools in the United States and Canada can collect markers that have past their prime and send them to Crayola to be recycled. Accepted markers include those made by other manufacturers as well as things like dry erase markers and highlighters.
Crayola provides schools with a FedEx Ground shipping label to send the markers in, your school just has to provide a box and the markers. Crayola suggests only sending things in when you have at least 100 markers and limited boxes to 40 pounds or less.
For now, the service is only limited to K-12 schools, and not all areas, but overtime Crayola says that it hopes to extend the program to preschools, home schools, and daycares as well. IF you’re affiliated with one of those, Crayola recommends teaming up with a local K-12 school for the time being and dropping your markers off with them.
It’s an easy, free way to start teaching younger kids about recycling while doing something good for the environment in the process.