Recycling Empty Markers: 10 Original Ideas

Watercolor paints. Kids' snifters. And with the bottle caps, original necklaces.

How to recycle used markers

Anyone who has school-age children knows how easy it can be to accumulate them. Therefore, giving you some ideas on the recycling used markersWe hope you enjoy it. Most of these dry out quickly or become dull easily, and when you finally remember to sort them out, you tend to immediately throw away the ones that no longer work. A shame, especially considering the alternative uses they can be put to.

In fact, even the used markers Waste paper can be recycled in many ways, both for further coloring and to create original objects. Let's see how to proceed below.

watercolors from empty markers

Photo Credit | Facebook Giulia SaliSpiga

Watercolors

If you want to recycle markers that no longer work, get some glass jars transparent (for example those of ready-made sauces or olives). Therefore:

  • Disassemble the marker and remove the ink pad, which is about 10-15 cm long. If you can't open them, cut them with a craft knife and use tweezers to extract the pad.
  • Immerse the swabs in jars previously filled with water or denatured alcohol, and leave them to soak for a few days.
  • After this time, the markers will have released their color into the water, which can be used to paint using the watercolor technique.

How to recycle used markers

Dyes

Another idea for recycling used markers: you can also use these water-based colors to color paper by dipping it directly into the jars; for example, you can use egg cartons, or you can dip raffia or string in them if you have a specific project in mind. They're less suitable for fabric, because the color washes out. You can also create a marbled effect by dipping a sponge in the paint and then wiping it over the desired surface.

SHANGHAI markers

Shanghai

Try recycling plastic stems, which can be turned into many things. For example, a fun Shanghai for children. You know that game that is played with long wooden sticks and whose goal is to remove them one at a time without moving the others? Well, the little ones will have a blast.

empty pen holders and markers

Photo Credit | Facebook School, Joy, and Colors – Teacher Rosangela

Pen

Alternatively, you can line toilet paper rolls or plastic or cardboard boxes or jars and turn them into cheerful pencil holders for the kids' room. Making them is super easy. If you decide to use hot glue to secure them, however, be sure to use it yourself to prevent children from hurting themselves.

skipping rope markers

Photo Credit | Facebook HCT

Skipping rope

Would you ever have thought you could make a skipping rope with markers? Get a strong string and two large markers that you've emptied of their insides. Punch a hole in the base of the markers and insert one end of the string rope through each hole. Tie the string inside the markers to secure them as handles. It's ready to use!

How to recycle used markers

Photo Credit | Facebook Jack Veldhuizen

Sculptures

Empty marker caps can become pieces to be assembled together to create original sculpturesOr little men ready to use in children's play sessions.

Frames

The recycling of empty markers also involves framesPlace them side by side and secure them with hot glue. Then finish with lace, bows and anything else you like, to make truly original frames to place anywhere, to give a pop of color to the home.

clock caps markers

Photo Credit | Facebook OPEN SPACE Lab – Marcella Vico

Clock

With the pencil cases you can also make a niceclock To teach little ones how to tell the time. Gather about twelve of these, along with a plastic jar cap and a clock mechanism; then assemble everything, perhaps with the help of an online tutorial.

marker cap necklace

Photo Credit | Facebook Ripizz-Amo

Necklace

Even the caps that cover the writing tip can be recycled. If you pierce them at the ends and tie them with string, you can make them into pens. necklaces Quite bizarre. Or, if you prefer something more elaborate, be inspired by the necklace you see in the photo, which can also be made with plastic bottle caps, washers, and buttons.

How to recycle used markers

Photo Credit | Facebook South Texas College Library Art Gallery

Tenda

Ideas on how to recycle markers Are the drains you've read so far not enough for you? Well, we've got you covered. Use the caps, or the whole markers you've emptied, to create colorful and lively tendsIf one thing is certain, it's that they will make the environment decidedly more lively!

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