According to the EPA, Americans throw away 1.6 billion disposable pens every year. In an effort to bring awareness to this issue of difficult-to-recycle items, specifically plastic writing instruments, a Troop 91 scout chose to create an education and recycling plan in conjunction with Asheville Catholic School. The scout and Asheville Catholic’s student council sponsored a school-wide recycling collection contest. More than 125 pounds of writing instruments were collected in 3 months. Using the school’s program as an example, Scouts from Troop 91 expanded the recycling program to more than 70 community organizations including schools, universities, libraries, businesses, religious institutions, and other Scout troops. The collected materials are recycled by mail through the “Brigade” program at TerraCycle, a company that collects previously non-recyclable or difficult-to-recycle waste. They offer free shipping as well as a donation for each item recycled. In addition to the TerraCycle recycle-by-mail programs, in our community Asheville GreenWorks “Hard 2 Recycle” events collect many other types of items that are difficult to recycle. The hours reported and the end date are only for the initial demonstration Project . The Scout Troop and Christ School in Arden NC continue to work with Asheville GreenWorks at the quarterly "Hard 2 Recycle" Events. Also the scout who led this project enlisted the UNC Asheville Robotics Program to participate as well. They educate others about the problem of electronic waste, collect electronic waste to be recycled and work at the quarterly recycling events. The education program is also ongoing.

A seond initiative now also addresses electonic waste .