Tip #40: How can I repurpose or recycle crayons?
Did you know that crayons are made from paraffin wax (which is derived from petroleum) and it can take years, even decades, for a crayon to decompose in a landfill? Instead of putting them in the trash, you can:
- Donate unused or gently used crayons to a local school, shelter, or community organization.
- Collect crayons for groups like:
- The Crayon Collection (crayoncollection.org), which will redirect gently used crayons to Head Start Centers around the country.
- Crazy Crayons (ccdev.us.tempcloudsite.com/crayon-recycle-program), which takes broken crayons and makes new art items.
- Repurpose them yourself into new crayons, candles, or other items. www.simplemost.com/11-cool-things-broken-crayons
This recycling tip is brought to you by the Transfer Station Committee.
Editor’s Note: To gain entry to Harvard’s Transfer Station and empty trash, residents must purchase an $80 sticker. The sticker entitles its holder to dispose of recyclable glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles, and books at no charge. But residents must purchase specially marked bags to dispose of nonrecyclable materials. These are available at the Harvard General Store, Harvard Outdoor Power Equipment, Westward Orchards (June through December), Bolton Orchards in Bolton, Moore's in Ayer, and Shop ’n Save in Ayer. The Press publishes these weekly tips to help readers reduce the volume of their trash, while increasing the volume they recycle.
