Stockton Schools start recycling writing instruments

August 13, Stockton United Methodist Church happily hosted the annual Stockton Schools Staff Appreciation Breakfast. They served about 104 breakfasts on reusable tableware, which made it a near-zero waste event.

The SUMC Go Green Team offered to partner with our schools to deliver to Staples Office Supply store in Springfield whatever worn-out or unwanted writing instruments that our schools collect throughout the year. Staples accepts co-mingled crayons, pencils, pens, markers, highlighters, and caps for recycling.

Did you know, crayons never biodegrade? The millions of pounds discarded every year turn into a waxy sludge that clogs our landfills. Staples ships them to The Crayon Initiative in California, where they are sorted, melted, and remanufactured into large, three-sided, bright, clean, paper-free crayons that are easy for kids to grip. The Crayon Initiative donates them to hospitalized children across the nation, and their unique three-sided shape prevents them from rolling off hospital trays.

No children in school? Set up a collection can or box in your home to collect every worn-out writing instrument. Drop them off at any Staples Office Supply store for recycling or bring to the annual Earth Day Electronics and Appliances Recycling Drive every April at Stockton United Methodist Church.

Crayons belong in children’s hands, not in landfills. Let’s stop sending crayons and other writing instruments to the landfill. Choose to recycle them instead. When we recycle, we imitate God’s creation design.

Learn more about the Stockton United Methodist Creation Care Ministry and other items that can be recycled locally at https://www.stocktonumc.org/about-creation-care.