In an effort to stop used pens, markers and stationery from ending up in landfill, TerraCycle and Officeworks have launched the Zero Waste Box.

The specially designed box provides a place to dispose of discarded pens and markers, as well as their caps. Once full, users can use the prepaid shipping label to send the box back to TerraCycle, where these previously unrecyclable items will be repurposed into recycled products.

As part of a nationwide competition, Officeworks and TerraCycle are calling on high school and university students to take a picture of an environmental project and submit it to TerraCycle. The first 100 schools to submit a creative photo of their current recycling initiative will win a Zero Waste Box, valued at RRP$96.12, which they can use to recycle pens, markers and stationery in the classroom.

“We want to eliminate the whole concept of waste,” said TerraCycle Australia General Manager Jean Bailliard. “This system brings us one step closer to helping high schools, businesses and communities understand how items can be given a second life.”

“Each year, Australians go through 140 million pens,” added Alexandra Staley from Officeworks. “We’re excited about engaging schools in an Australian-first challenge to recycle this difficult-to-recycle waste stream, as well as help educate young people on resource conservation and sustainability.”