Chloe Zhang
Plastic pens are a significant contributor to plastic waste, with Americans discarding 1.6 billion disposable pens annually. Many of these pens can be reused, recycled, or repurposed. One way to recycle plastic pens is through TerraCycle, a waste management company that offers Zero Waste Boxes for recycling pens, pencils, and markers. BIC, a leading stationery company, has partnered with TerraCycle to provide consumers with a free and easy way to recycle their used pens, mechanical pencils, and markers. Consumers can sign up on the TerraCycle website and mail in their used items using a prepaid shipping label. The collected waste is then cleaned, melted into hard plastic, and remoulded into new recycled products. Additionally, there are creative ways to repurpose old pens, such as using them for crafts, as coffee stirrers, or as plant hangers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Companies that recycle plastic pens | BIC, TerraCycle |
| How to recycle | Send in all brands of pens, markers, mechanical pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, and paint sets to be recycled for free |
| Sign up on the TerraCycle program page and mail in the used items using a prepaid shipping label | |
| Remove all of the interior pieces of the pen | |
| Rinse the pen | |
| Ensure the pen is completely dry before shipping | |
| Do not ship dripping packages | |
| Send to one of TerraCycle's local Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) | |
| What happens to the pens after they are recycled | Sold to manufacturing companies who produce the end product and complete the recycling journey |
| Other ways to reuse plastic pens | Coffee stirrers |
| Funnels for small jars | |
| Fishing lures | |
| Spools for thread, wire, or yarn | |
| Christmas decorations | |
| Beads | |
| Toy for cats |
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What You'll Learn
How to recycle plastic pens with TerraCycle
Plastic pens are unfortunately not always easily recyclable, and they often end up in landfills. However, TerraCycle, an innovative waste management company, offers a solution to this problem. Operating in 21 countries, TerraCycle works with consumer product companies, retailers, and cities to recycle products that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated.
One way to recycle plastic pens with TerraCycle is through their Zero Waste Box program. You can purchase a Zero Waste Box online, fill it with corresponding waste, and then ship it back to TerraCycle for free using a prepaid shipping label. The accepted waste includes pens, pen caps, mechanical pencils, markers, marker caps, permanent markers, and permanent marker caps. However, it's important to note that the shipment must weigh at least five pounds, which is approximately 350 pieces of plastic pens.
Another way to recycle plastic pens with TerraCycle is through their partnerships with companies like BIC. BIC offers a free recycling program where consumers can send in all brands of pens, markers, mechanical pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, and even the soft, flexible plastic packaging that some writing instruments come in. This program is open to individuals, schools, offices, and community organizations. You can sign up on the TerraCycle program page and mail in the used items using a prepaid shipping label. Once collected, the waste is cleaned, melted into hard plastic, and remolded into new recycled products.
Additionally, some local stores or facilities, like Staples, have pen recycling programs where you can drop off your old pens. These pens are then sent to TerraCycle or other recycling plants for processing and given new life as products such as watering cans, storage containers, outdoor furniture, or floor tiles.
By following these methods, you can help reduce plastic waste and give your plastic pens a chance to be recycled and reused.
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How to reuse plastic pens for crafts
Plastic pens are difficult to recycle due to the variety of materials used in their construction, ranging from non-biodegradable plastics to malleable metals. However, with some creativity, you can reuse and repurpose plastic pens for crafts and other projects. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Christmas Decorations
You can cut and stack plastic pens in the shape of a tree to create unique Christmas decorations. Spray paint them to add a festive touch and make them as big or small as you like.
Beaded Garland
Cut the pens into small pieces to create colourful beads. Use a small saw or sharp scissors for this step. Then, string the beads together to form a garland that can be hung inside or outside your home.
Coffee Stirrers
Thoroughly clean the pens and reuse them as coffee stirrers. Rinse and reuse as many times as you need, and then recycle the pens when you're done.
Spools for Thread, Wire, or Yarn
Wrap extra thread, wire, or yarn around the pens to use them as spools. They'll make it easier to manage and organise your crafting materials.
Fishing Lures
Empty and paint the pens as desired. Get creative and add eyes and tails to make them look like minnows or insects. Then, attach them to your fishing pole and enjoy a sustainable fishing experience.
Remember, you can always remove the ink and interior parts of the pens to make them safer for certain crafts and projects. Additionally, if you're looking to recycle a large number of pens, you can explore options like TerraCycle's Writing Instrument Brigade or reach out to artists who use recycled pens in their work.
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How to repurpose plastic pens for household use
Plastic pens are not easily recyclable due to the type of plastic used in their production. The plastic used for cheap pen bodies, polystyrene, is difficult to recycle industrially, and the ink used in pens can contain toxic ingredients that, if not disposed of properly, can cause pollution and harm to wildlife. However, there are still ways to introduce sustainability into your writing, such as switching to eco-friendly pens, using biodegradable pens, or purchasing refillable pens. You can also repurpose your old plastic pens for household use. Here are some ways to repurpose plastic pens:
Pen Holder
Using glue, attach several pens (with their caps on) to a plastic cup. This will give you a unique stationery holder and an organised desk.
Christmas Decorations
Clear pens can be used to make Christmas wreaths, with small solar-powered lights to illuminate them at night. You can also make Christmas tree ornaments out of old pens.
Garden Stakes
Old pens can be used as starter stakes in the garden.
Coffee Stirrers
Clean your old pens and use them as coffee stirrers.
Funnel
You can repurpose old pens as a funnel for small jars.
Fishing Lures
Old pens can be used to make fishing lures.
If you are unable to repurpose your plastic pens, there are other options for disposing of them sustainably. Some companies, such as BIC and TerraCycle, offer free recycling programs for used pens, mechanical pencils, markers, glue sticks, and other stationery products and packaging. These companies clean and melt the waste into hard plastic that can be remoulded to make new recycled products.
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How to recycle plastic pens with BIC
Plastic pens are a common, everyday item that often ends up in landfills, contributing to the growing problem of plastic waste. BIC, a world leader in stationery, has introduced several initiatives to address this issue and promote sustainability. Here are some ways to recycle plastic pens with BIC:
BIC's TerraCycle Program
BIC has partnered with TerraCycle, an international recycling leader, to offer a free and easy way to recycle used pens, mechanical pencils, markers, and other stationery items, as well as their packaging. The program is open to individuals, schools, offices, and community organizations. You can sign up on the TerraCycle program page (https://www.terracycle.com/bic), collect your used items, and mail them in using a prepaid shipping label. The waste is then cleaned, melted into hard plastic, and remolded to create new recycled products. This program not only diverts waste from landfills but also educates consumers about the value of recycling their everyday products.
BIC ReVolution Eco-Friendly Stationery Line
BIC has launched its first full range of eco-friendly stationery items, known as the BIC ReVolution line. This line includes retractable ballpoint pens, correction tape, mechanical pencils, permanent markers, and round Stic ballpoint pens, all made with at least 50% recycled plastic. For example, the BIC ReVolution Ocean Retractable Ball Pens are made with 73% recycled ocean-bound plastic, preventing it from entering the ocean. By using recycled materials, BIC is embracing sustainability and supporting a circular economy. This eco-friendly line provides consumers with more sustainable options for their everyday writing instruments.
BIC's "Writing the FutureTogether" Program
BIC has also established the "Writing the FutureTogether" program, which includes ambitious sustainable development goals. One of their key focuses is transforming their use of plastic in products and packaging. Through this program, BIC aims to enhance its global operations and products to meet the environmental needs and demands of consumers who are increasingly conscious of sustainability. This shift demonstrates BIC's commitment to reducing their environmental impact and promoting eco-friendly alternatives.
General Tips for Reducing Plastic Pen Waste
In addition to recycling initiatives, there are other ways to minimize plastic pen waste. When purchasing pens, opt for high-quality, long-lasting writing instruments to reduce the need for frequent replacements. Consider refillable and reusable pens with disposable ink cartridges. Certain brands offer pens where you can replace the cartridge when the ink runs out. Additionally, BIC manufactures a range of pens made from recycled materials, so you can choose products that utilize sustainable resources. By combining recycling efforts with conscious consumption, we can collectively reduce the environmental impact of plastic pens.
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How to recycle plastic pens with Crayola
Recycling plastic pens is important because, otherwise, they will end up in landfills, adding to the billions of pens manufactured every year. Most pens are made of plastic that will not biodegrade and can give off toxic gases like dioxins if incinerated.
Crayola runs a take-back program called ColorCycle, but they only accept products from their brand. To recycle plastic pens with Crayola, you can follow these steps:
First, collect a large number of plastic Crayola pens and markers. Pens are small and lightweight, so it should be easy to collect a significant number without taking up too much space. Ask your friends, family, coworkers, or your child's school to see if they have any extra Crayola pens or markers to contribute.
Once you have a substantial amount, you can begin the recycling process. Crayola's ColorCycle program accepts whole markers, but if your local recycling facility requires it, you may need to disassemble the pens and separate the plastic components from the non-plastic ones. Crayola admits that its marker caps are made from polypropylene, a #5 recyclable plastic. The plastic barrels of the markers are also made of polypropylene, but they may not have the #5 stamp on them, so check with your local recycling facility to see if they accept this type of plastic.
Remove the caps and barrels from the markers and place them in your recycling pile. You may need to use a sharp object, such as a box cutter or knife, to carefully pry open the barrels and remove the ink wells and tips. Please handle these materials with caution and consider wearing protective gear, such as rubber gloves, to avoid any exposure to toxic dyes or chemicals.
Finally, check Crayola's website for instructions on how to send in your collected markers for recycling. You can usually print a pre-paid FedEx shipping label directly from their website. Make sure to package the markers securely in a sturdy cardboard box with minimal outer markings. There is usually a minimum and maximum weight limit for the program, so ensure you meet those requirements before sending in your package.
By following these steps, you can properly recycle plastic pens and markers with Crayola's ColorCycle program, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several options for recycling plastic pens. One is to use the BIC® Stationery Recycling Program, which allows consumers to send in all brands of pens, markers, mechanical pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, and paint sets for recycling. Another option is to purchase a Zero Waste Box™ from TerraCycle, fill it with trash, and send it back to them for recycling.
Once collected, the pens are cleaned and melted into hard plastic. This plastic is then remolded to make new recycled products.
Yes, you can also upcycle plastic pens by using them for crafts and other projects. For example, you can use them as coffee stirrers, funnels, garland, or fishing lures.
According to the EPA, Americans throw away 1.6 billion disposable pens every year, which contributes significantly to plastic waste. By recycling or upcycling plastic pens, we can reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills or incinerators.
