THE GOOD TURN: Go Forest "Green" with your Burnt Sienna

Before I begin, let me get one thing straight: I'm NOT trying to stomp on a cherished bit of childhood memory. Guilt sucks.

THE ISSUE:
Went to a restaurant the other night with my three-year-old. She got her three-crayon pack and placemat maze and I got my rum and coke. When we left, the maze and drink(s) were done. But the crayons were still there, almost brand new. It didn't feel right to throw them away, but god knows she already had plenty of crayons at home. What's a "green" dad to do?

Turns out most crayons are made from paraffin wax. Paraffin wax does biodegrade and crayons are non-toxic, so it doesn't seem like they pose an environmental risk as long as some seagull doesn't start treating them like brightly colored frogs legs.

On the other hand, paraffin wax is a petroleum product. Exactly how much petroleum goes into making crayons isn't clear. But when Crayola alone churns out 3 billion rainbow sticks a year, when each kid in this country will use up 730 crayons by his/her 10th birthday, it's safe to say crayons draw a good bit of oil.

Add that to the paper used for wrappers and cardboard used for the box and maybe there are other ways to get your color on.

THE GOOD TURN:
Option #1 - Recycle your broken and discarded crayons. Okay, so it's not going to save a rain forest. But it couldn't hurt, and might be a lot of fun. Some ideas are listed below.

Option #2 - Find crayons that aren't petroleum-based. These can be a bit expensive though, so make sure your kid's not a "breaker" or "masher." Check out some of the brands below.

Next week, I attack slinkys, Smurfs and teddy bears.

CLICK HERE TO DO THIS GOOD TURN:
How to make your own crayons in minutes
Making crayon cookies
Other creative uses for crayons
Trade your old crayons in for recycled ones
Stockmar Beeswax Crayons
Crayon Rocks Soy Crayons
Waldorf Supplies Natural Wax Crayons