GSEM Bronze Award Project Catalog

Saving Crayons

Project Details: For their Bronze Award project, Troop 1983 started a crayon recycling program at their school after learning that crayons are recyclable, but the process can be inconvenient. The Juniors organized a collection drive and used a video and posters they created to promote the drive, along with speaking to each grade level. The Girl Scouts worked with The Crayon Initiative to recycle the collected crayons. During the span of their project, these young changemakers saved over 400 pounds of crayons from the landfill. Those crayons were made into 288 new packs of crayons that were donated to children’s hospitals. The Girl Scouts partnered with their student council to continue their project.

Bronze Award Team: Troop 1983

Issue: Too many crayons (which are recyclable), end up in landfills as hundreds of pounds are thrown away each year just from one elementary school. Root Cause: Although crayons are technically recyclable, very few places actually accept them. Those that do often require shipping, which can be costly.

Target Audience: Students at school.