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Pens, mechanical pencils and markers are powerful objects to recycle, as a result of they’re made up of a number of various kinds of plastic, metallic, ink and different supplies. You positively shouldn’t be throwing them into your curbside bins. In america, there are just a few choices to recycle pens and markers. Right here they’re:

NEW! Staples is now taking pens for recycling at their U.S. retail shops.

It not too long ago got here to my consideration (in Feb 2024) that Staples has began accepting used pens and markers at their shops for recycling. I visited my native Staples to research and located that there was no drop-off bin, however I requested an affiliate who knowledgeable me that sure, they’re taking pens and markers for recycling. You possibly can merely give them to a workers member. Study extra about Staples recycling packages.

Extra pen recycling choices:

Some companies have signed up for the BIC Stationery Recycling Program by Terracycle and have a drop field for all manufacturers (not simply BIC) of pens, markers, paint units, glue sticks and packaging. Sadly, Terracycle doesn’t embody these places on its searchable map of public recycling drop bins. So you need to attempt to discover them by yourself.

Begin together with your metropolis or county stable waste division. My county has some Terracycle drop bins of their vestibule for varied hard-to-recycle objects. You may also seek for zero waste outlets or refill outlets in your space, they could have recycling for a wide range of hard-to-recycle objects as nicely. Some colleges acquire pens and markers for recycling as do some libraries. Native stationery and workplace provide shops could also be different locations to strive.

Purchase your personal pen recycling field.

In case you are actually motivated and you’re employed at a spot that both goes by a variety of pens or really feel just like the foot visitors generated by individuals bringing pens and markers in for recycling may gain advantage your enterprise, you might spend money on certainly one of Terracycle’s Zero Waste Containers for Pens, Pencils and Markers. In order for you to have the ability to recycle your pens together with different workplace waste, you possibly can mix all of it within the Workplace Provides Zero Waste Field. These choices will value you although. The bins begin at over $100 for even the smallest sizes.

Discontinued packages:

Crayola’s Colorcycle marker recycling program ended throughout Covid. There’s additionally an artist who calls himself the Pen Man who was taking pens for making paintings, however stopped taking donations.

I’m all the time preserving my eyes and ears open in search of new avenues for recycling odd objects like pens, and if I hear of any new choices, I’ll let you realize. And if you realize of any locations for taking or sending outdated pens and markers in america, please let me know!