Every year Crayola makes half a billion markers to be sold around the world.  That’s enough markers to circle the earth more than three times!  Millions of kids use and love markers, but they are becoming concerned with the problem of discarded plastics.  These plastics escape into the ocean and then enter our food chain as they are broken down into smaller pieces.

“I love your markers, but I’d like to tell you it’s polluting. So can I please send some of your markers back? I love your product, but hate pollution," says Zachary, age 9 from Sun Valley School in a letter to Crayola.

These students started an online campaign against Crayola to get them to start a “take back” program.  Noting the slow response from Crayola, competitor Dixon Ticonderoga agreed to start a “take back” program simply because it’s “the right thing to do,” CEO Timothy Gomez stated in a press release.

Dixon Ticonderoga’s recycling program will process the company's Prang line of markers for recycling. The company will offer prepaid UPS shipping labels for marker hauls of seven pounds or more.

To encourage the recycling efforts of Sun Valley Elementary students, the company has provided the school a year’s supply of Prang markers.

The Fibrex Group’s Recycle Box would be a perfect solution for collecting all of those markers at schools, daycares, recreation centers, or even at home.  The Recycle Box comes in a generous 32 or 44 gallon bin size and is made from recycled plastic itself so the kids can see the closure of the recycling loop in person.

The Crayola petition is still available to sign online at Change.org.

In our neck of the woods, as well as many others, back to school means back to organized sports for many of our kids.  I was happy to notice last weekend at our local soccer fields, that the park has now obtained recycling containers!

Many of these waste and recycling containers were placed throughout the park and even at many of the soccer fields where my kids play.  It’s such an awesome idea to get kids and families to recycle where they play.  Teaching kids about the stewardship of the earth and their environment is an easy task, but parents just need the right tools to give them a great example of how to do it.

Many companies are now marketing “dress-up” recycle bins that look great, enhance the natural environment in which they are placed, and of course, serve a necessary purpose in their locales.  The users of these containers also find it easy and convenient to recycle while they are not at home.  

Whether the recycling receptacles are designed using recycled plastic lumber such as Fibrex’s Envirodesign Series or made from metal like the Stadium Series, the public truly appreciates having modern, functional recycling containers in which to place their used recyclables.

What better place to recycle than at the park!

The kids all got on the bus this morning and summer has officially come to an end.  Now, we moms have to start thinking about having enough healthy after-school snacks in the house and prepared dinners for the family.  Of course your best bet would be to buy local.

While you can always get fresh pickings at Whole Foods Market, Trader Joes, and Fresh Market, it’s always best to support our local farmers.  My community is fortunate enough to have the Smithfield Farmers Market every Saturday from May – October.   My kids love going down to our Main Street area every weekend to purchase locally grown cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, corn and a whole plethora of fresh, tasty produce.  We can even get eggs, honey, peanuts and pumpkins for Halloween when the season comes around.  Living in a rural community definitely has its perks.  

While you’re shopping, you might want to bring something along to bring all of those yummy vegetables home safely.  I would recommend The Fibrex Group’s Multi-Recycler Bin . While originally designed for recycling at home or in the dorm/apartment, it can also be used as a handy tote for shopping at the market since it has a convenient handle built-in on the container.  They even fit nicely into a child’s wagon so you don’t have to carry them around when they get too full.  

The Virginian Grown Coalition is a great place to find out where to purchase locally grown items in the State of Virginia.  Every state has their own coalition, so just go to your state’s website for information.  Always look for recycling containers at the market during your visit.

Happy hunting – here’s to eating well!