Photo by Shawn Ford
Updated 2/23/2016
Millions of broken crayons are thrown away every day. Since they are petroleum based, it will take centuries for them to biodegrade. Did you ever stop to think that you could recycle or reuse those old crayons? Here are some suggestions:
Recycle those Old Crayons with Crazy Crayons:
Colorado based Crazy Crayons collects old crayons and recycles them into new crayons and fire starters. The Company has collected over 34,000 pounds of crayons since its inception in 1993. Their hand crafted crayons are like a work of art where no two are the same. They offer hundreds of shapes and themes such as teddy bears, insects, and custom designs. Unfortunately, none of their designs are listed on their website.
Crazy Crayons not only uses recycled products, they also care about how the crayons are packaged for resale. All crayons are packaged in recycled cardboard boxes. Some are packaged in cellophane, which is made from tree gum, which is biodegradable. They do offer packaging choices of reusable, re-sealable poly-baggies for those wishing for a pack and go solution.
Founder, LuAnn Foty provided the following tips on how to reduce your shipping cost when shipping crayons:
- “Use sturdy boxes that closely fit the amount of the contents
(as to avoid crushing or breakage of box).Crayons don’t need to be in plastic bags inside the box.
- USPS offers Priority Flat Rate boxes for a standard fee regardless of weight.”
Crayons and Fire starters can be ordered via an 800 number listed on the site.
For every pound of crayons that are sent to the Company, you will receive, one recycled crayon.
Collecting crayons is a wonderful environmental activity for children. Consider starting a collection box in your school, religious organization, or place a box at a community building. I had a collection box when I was the recycling coordinator at my school. I donated the crayons to local churches for their use.
Want to be Creative?
Check out the following articles on what you can do with your own crayons:
Danny Seo’s post, “New Crayons from Old” of how he melted down crayons and created art with them.
DIYer Network on how to make your own crazy crayons.
Need a visual to get the concept? Check out this
YouTube video.
With all the lead scares out there with toy products coming from China, is it best to only melt down American made crayons not ones from China?
Donate Them:
Consider Freecycle your used crayons or donating them to a childcare center, or school rather than throw them in the trash.
Join the Conversation:
Do you have any other suggestions what to do with your broken or unused crayons?
Donna says
January 28, 2009 at 11:31 pmInvesting in one of those machines that melts down the crayons into new crayons was one of the best investments I’ve made. It’s such a waste to keep buying crayons all the time.
Donnas last blog post..Coastal Real Estate for NJ – Apartments, Property and Houses in Sea Isle
Jessica says
March 11, 2010 at 11:12 amI can not find the website crayon bin, it is still out there? I need help with recyling my schools old crayons!
Green Talk says
March 11, 2010 at 6:42 pmJessica, the first organization listed. Crazy Crayons is still taking them. I listed an address in WI and Fla. Anna
I think Crayon Bin is out of business.
Sam Kane says
August 5, 2010 at 3:07 pmwhat a great idea. my kids have piles of crayons all around the house and they don’t even draw with them anymore – they just throw them! so maybe this is a solution…!
Michele says
September 26, 2012 at 3:41 pmI need info on how to start a program in our school. We would like to start there, then slowly add more schools, eventually incorporating the entire district.
Anna@Green Talk says
September 26, 2012 at 3:52 pmMichele, I just started it through my PTA as part of our green initiatives. A plastic huge jug sits on a table by all the recycling. The problem is you have to figure out where the crayons are going after you collect them. Check if you can still send to Crazy Crayons. The school will have to pay the mailing costs.
Alternatively, see if you can give them to a lower income school, organization, etc. I get brand new crayons!!! Seriously.
Let me know how it goes. Anna