How to Recycle Pens and Markers

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Pens, mechanical pencils and markers are tough items to recycle, because they are made up of multiple different types of plastic, metal, ink and other materials. You definitely shouldn’t be throwing them into your curbside bins. In the United States, there are a few options to recycle pens and markers. Here they are:

NEW! Staples is now taking pens for recycling at their U.S. retail stores.

It recently came to my attention (in Feb 2024) that Staples has started accepting used pens and markers at their stores for recycling. I visited my local Staples to investigate and found that there was no drop-off bin, but I asked an associate who informed me that yes, they are taking pens and markers for recycling. You can simply give them to a staff member. Learn more about Staples recycling programs.

More pen recycling options:

Some businesses have signed up for the BIC Stationery Recycling Program through Terracycle and have a drop box for all brands (not just BIC) of pens, markers, paint sets, glue sticks and packaging. Unfortunately, Terracycle does not include these locations on its searchable map of public recycling drop boxes. So you have to try to find them on your own.

Start with your city or county solid waste department. My county has some Terracycle drop boxes in their vestibule for various hard-to-recycle items. You can also search for zero waste shops or refill shops in your area, they may have recycling for a variety of hard-to-recycle items as well. Some schools collect pens and markers for recycling as do some libraries. Local stationery and office supply stores may be other places to try.

Buy your own pen recycling box.

If you are really motivated and you work at a place that either goes through a lot of pens or feel like the foot traffic generated by people bringing pens and markers in for recycling could benefit your business, you could invest in one of Terracycle’s Zero Waste Boxes for Pens, Pencils and Markers. If you want to be able to recycle your pens along with other office waste, you can combine it all in the Office Supplies Zero Waste Box. These options will cost you though. The boxes start at over $100 for even the smallest sizes.

Discontinued programs:

Crayola’s Colorcycle marker recycling program ended during Covid. There is also an artist who calls himself the Pen Guy who was taking pens for making artwork, but stopped taking donations.

I am always keeping my eyes and ears open looking for new avenues for recycling odd items like pens, and if I hear of any new options, I’ll let you know. And if you know of any places for taking or sending old pens and markers in the United States, please let me know!

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