Saving the Planet One Marker at a Time

While most 11-year-olds would use the money obtained from chores to buy the latest toy or gadget, Joslyn Stamp uses it to help the environment. The Plattsmouth, Nebraska, resident participates in the Crayola ColorCycle program and has helped to keep thousands of used and dried up markers from ending up in landfills.

Joslyn has set up decorated collection bins, paid for by her own chore money, at locations throughout her hometown, including schools, a daycare, and two libraries. She picks up the markers that are turned in, counts them, and sends them back to Crayola. Joslyn is passionate about the environment and about making the world a better place, and is today’s Daily Point of Light Award honoree. Points of Light spoke with Joselyn to learn more about her commitment to service.

What inspires you to volunteer?

Reading about pollution and endangered animals inspires me to try to do something to help. I do not want Earth to turn into a giant trashcan. I also get upset when I see litter because animals could eat the litter and die. 

Describe your volunteer role.

My role is Colorcycle Champion at my school. My school did not have a way for students and teachers to recycle markers, dry erase markers, and highlighters. Every student uses markers for school, so that is a lot of markers we are using. I don’t want to fill up the landfills with markers. So, I looked online and found that Crayola has a program to recycle these. I got permission from my school to put bins in classrooms to collect used or dried up markers. I collect the markers from the bins and count them. After the markers are counted, I then send them to Crayola in a recycled box to be turned into clean-burning fuel.

What has been the most rewarding part of your work?

Seeing the number of my bins grow from being at just one school to being at three schools, two libraries, a daycare, a 4-H Extension office, and a moms group. I was excited when I got 1,000 markers. So far, 5,619 markers have been collected! My teachers, classmates, and community have been very supportive.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I have learned that I really like helping the planet. I want to help find new ways to make it easier for people to recycle.

Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about?

I am excited about continuing to spread the word about Colorcycle whenever I can. I plan on having a booth at a local Earth Day event to promote Colorcycle. If a student or teacher is interested in starting ColorCycle at their school, visit https://www.crayola.com/colorcycle. I will continue for look for opportunities to help the planet and endangered animals.

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?

If we each help a little, we can save the world. Each of us doing small things can save the world!

What do you want people to learn from your story?

That anyone can help save the world. Anyone can recycle. I was nervous to try because I was not sure anyone would recycle their markers. I am so glad ignored my fears and tried, because now over 5,619 markers have been recycled!

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Joslyn? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.