BIC launches program to recycle the “write” way

BIC has partnered with an international recycling company, TerraCycle, to offer consumers a free way to recycle their fully-used pens, mechanical pencils, markers and other stationery products and parts of packaging nationwide.   As an added incentive, for every shipment of used stationery products collected and sent to TerraCycle through this program, collectors earn points that can be donated to a school or charitable organization of their choice.   “As families spend more time writing, drawing and coloring together, we want to provide them with a responsible way to dispose of their products once they are used,” said Mary Fox, North American general manager for BIC. “Our collection program with TerraCycle gives consumers a simple way to recycle their writing instruments and art supplies to make a difference in the world.”   “Sustainability has always been at BIC’s core,” added Fox. “We are thrilled to expand this program to the U.S. from Europe, where we have successfully recycled an astounding 46 million items.”   Through the BIC Stationery Recycling Program, consumers can now send in all brands of pens, markers, mechanical pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, watercolor dispensers and paint sets to be recycled for free. The program is also collecting the soft, flexible plastic packaging that some writing instruments are packaged in. Sign up is on the TerraCycle program page www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/bic and the used items are mailed using a prepaid shipping label. Once collected, the waste is cleaned and melted into hard plastic that is remolded to make new recycled products. The program is open to any interested individual, school, office or community organization.   “Through this free recycling program, BIC offers consumers the unique opportunity to learn about the value of recycling products they use every day while learning, playing or working that would otherwise end up in landfill,” said Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle. “We are proud to partner with BIC to offer consumers an easy solution for these typically unrecyclable items.”   This is the latest step BIC has taken on to further enhance the sustainability of its long-lasting products, which are made with the least amount of material, and to minimize its impact on the environment, one of the goals in its 2025 “Writing the Future, Together” program, an announcement said.   BIC and TerraCycle began partnering in 2011 to collect and recycle used stationery products in Europe. A similar program was launched in Australia and New Zealand last year.   The two organizations have also partnered to promote the circular economy by offering BIC products through LOOP, an e-commerce circular economy platform created by TerraCycle aimed at eliminating waste and reducing dependence on packaging.   For more information, visit www.terracycle.com.