Whiteboard Crayons

Going Green: How Switching to Whiteboard Crayons Benefits the Environment and Saves Money for Orleton Primary School

We spoke with Miss Hannah Milde, a Class 1 teacher at Orleton Primary School, who shared details of the school’s commitment to becoming a Plastic Clever School by transitioning from single-use whiteboard pens to eco-friendly whiteboard crayons.  To find out more from the children themselves or learn more about becoming a Plastic Clever School visit Orleton School Level 3 video – Plastic Clever Schools

What prompted Orleton Primary School to make the switch from whiteboard pens to crayons?

Orleton Primary School: “Our journey started with a plastic audit conducted by the school’s Eco Reps as part of the Clever Schools Plastic Award. They found that a large amount of waste was generated from whiteboard pens, prompting us to seek more sustainable alternatives. The pens frequently had to be discarded because students struggled to secure the lids properly, causing them to dry out. Our goal was to reduce single-use items while ensuring that the replacement was practical and effective in the classroom.”

How have the whiteboard crayons performed so far?

Orleton Primary School “The crayons have been great. After six weeks of use we haven't had to sharpen them and they continue to work effectively. The students find them easy to use and they don’t stain uniforms like the traditional whiteboard pens did. Pens would regularly go missing after being used for other things too such as colouring in.”

What were some challenges faced during the transition?

Orleton Primary School: “The main teething issue was finding the right type of cleaner to wipe the crayon off the whiteboard. Initially, we tried standard whiteboard removers but found that they needed to be wet, and we’re now considering that microfiber cloths might work better. We also found that crayons can be a bit messy, as the black can transfer to hands and surfaces; while they don't stain like the pens used to, children sometimes need to wash their hands after using them.”

Have teachers and students embraced the change?

Orleton Primary School “Feedback from both teachers and students has been overwhelmingly positive. The children enjoy using the crayons and teachers appreciate that they don’t dry out or require supervision to ensure the lids are on”

What impact does the cost of crayons have compared to pens?

Orleton Primary School “ Interestingly, while each crayon costs about the same as five whiteboard pens, we’ve calculated that within just six weeks, we would have thrown away at least 10 pens per class. The crayons have already proven to be a cost-effective choice reducing waste significantly.”

What are the next steps for Orleton Primary regarding sustainability?

Orleton Primary School  “Our eco reps are excited to continue promoting sustainable practices and continue working towards being a Plastic Clever School. We’re focused on maintaining our commitment to reducing single-use plastics and we continue to explore other eco-friendly options to further our efforts in creating a more sustainable school environment.”