Recycling & Donation Guide: Pens, Markers, Crayons, Watercolor Paints, and Brushes

Nonprofit Organizations That Accept Donations of School & Art Supplies

📌 The Crayon Initiative – Accepts used crayons, melts them down, and donates new crayons to children’s hospitals.

📌 Crazy Crayons/National Crayon Recycle Program – Recycles crayons into new ones.

📌 The Kids In Need Foundation (KINF) – Provides free school supplies, including pens, markers, and crayons, to underserved schools.

📌 Art Feeds – Accepts donations of art supplies for children’s creative education.

📌 SCARCE (School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education) – Accepts used school and art supplies to redistribute to teachers and students.

📌 Local Schools & Community Centers – Many schools, after-school programs, and community art programs accept gently used art supplies.

Recycling & Disposal Options:

✅ Best Recycling & Disposal Methods:

1. Pens & Markers

   • TerraCycle Writing Instruments Recycling Program – Accepts used pens, markers, and mechanical pencils. Some office supply stores (e.g., Staples) may also offer drop-off recycling.

   • BIC & TerraCycle Free Recycling Program – A specific program for BIC-branded pens, markers, and highlighters.

   • Consider refillable pens and markers to reduce waste.

2. Crayons

   • The Crayon Initiative – Collects and recycles old crayons, melting them down to create new crayons for children's hospitals.

   • Crazy Crayons/National Crayon Recycle Program – Recycles old crayons into new ones.

   • Donate gently used crayons to local schools, daycare centers, or nonprofit art programs.

3. Watercolor Paints & Brushes

   • Water-based paints (like children's watercolor sets) can be safely washed down the drain when finished.

   • Acrylic or oil paints require proper disposal via local hazardous waste programs.

   • Brushes in good condition can be donated to art therapy programs, community art centers, or school art programs.

🚫 Not Accepted in Curbside Recycling:

• Pens, markers, crayons, and most art supplies contain mixed materials (plastic, wax, ink) and cannot go in regular curbside bins.

🗑 Trash Disposal (If No Other Option)

• If no recycling program is available, pens, markers, and crayons should go in regular trash.

• Paint brushes that are too damaged for reuse should also be disposed of in the trash.

Important Notes & Warnings:

⚠ Check paint type—oil-based and acrylic paints may require special hazardous waste disposal.

⚠ Avoid throwing away markers or pens—they take years to decompose in landfills.

⚠ Look for refillable options—refillable markers, pens, and paint palettes reduce waste.