Can you recycle pens & markers?
🔄 Specialist take-back
General waste at home; BIC/Terracycle 'Pen Pals' style school collection schemes exist.
Dead biros, felt-tips and highlighters are small mixed plastics — kerbside says no. Terracycle-partnered writing-instrument schemes run through schools and some Rymans stores. Pencil stubs and shavings can be composted (they're wood and graphite).
Tips
- Schools earn money per kilo through pen recycling schemes — donate via a local school
Which bin does it go in?
General waste at home; BIC/Terracycle 'Pen Pals' style school collection schemes exist.
Background: What goes in each household bin?.
Also searched as: biros, felt tips, highlighters, markers.
✓ Checked against current UK guidance: 14 Jul 2026. Spot an error or an out-of-date rule?