Crayons, Community, and Creativity: How Brookwood Citizens Are Turning Leftover Wax into Purpose-Filled Art
At the Brookwood Community in Brookshire, Texas, broken crayons aren't trash—they're treasure.
Through a heartwarming and environmentally conscious initiative, Brookwood Citizens are peeling, melting, and molding discarded crayons into colorful works of art. From cheerful flowers and hearts to motorcycles and even tractors, each piece is handcrafted with purpose and pride—and every crayon donated helps create a meaningful job for an adult with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Crayons with a Purpose—and a Planet-Saving Twist
In the United States alone, over 60 million crayons are thrown away each year, adding up to a staggering 500,000 pounds of wax waste annually, according to the National Crayon Recycle Program. Much of this comes from broken or worn-down crayons—referred to as “nubs”—which contribute an additional 45,000 to 75,000 pounds of landfill waste each year.
Made primarily from petroleum-based paraffin wax, these crayons are non-biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to decompose, leaving behind waxy sludge in our landfills.
At Brookwood, those same forgotten crayons are transformed into products that not only reduce environmental waste but also empower individuals. “These aren’t just crayons—they’re creativity with a cause,” Brookwood shared in a recent update. Citizens like Bubba, Rick, Meade, and Janice lead the charge—peeling, melting, and crafting the wax into new forms that are sold in Brookwood’s Gift Shop and online.
Donated crayons are transformed by Brookwood Citizens into beautiful shapes What is The Brookwood Community?
Founded in 1985 by Yvonne Streit, The Brookwood Community is a nonprofit residential and vocational organization designed to empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities—known as “Citizens”—through education, meaningful work, and an inclusive living environment.
Located on a 485-acre campus in Brookshire, just west of Houston, Brookwood serves over 100 Citizens daily through programs that integrate job training, personal development, and community engagement. From horticulture and ceramics to café service and handmade gifts, every Brookwood enterprise is structured to give Citizens dignity, independence, and a true sense of purpose.
Brookwood's model has been nationally recognized for blending entrepreneurship with compassion, creating a space where individuals are not defined by limitations—but by their talents, contributions, and creativity.
A Local Call to Action: Donate Leftover Crayons
With the school year just wrapped, there’s no better time to collect and donate crayons that might otherwise go to waste. Brookwood accepts crayon donations year-round and encourages community members to look around and gather unused or broken crayons from:
- Teachers and parents sorting through leftover classroom supplies
- Daycares and early learning centers that regularly rotate art materials
- Churches, especially those hosting Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs during summer
- Local restaurants that hand out crayons to young diners but discard extras or broken ones
- All crayons—used, new, broken, or intact—are welcome.
Donations can be dropped off at the Brookwood Gift Shop (1752 FM 1489, Brookshire, TX 77423), Monday–Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or mailed directly to the same address.
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Every Crayon Counts
When you donate a crayon to Brookwood, you’re not only keeping wax out of landfills—you’re helping provide life-enriching jobs for Citizens who take pride in their work and artistic achievements.
These upcycled creations are available for purchase in-store and online, allowing supporters to gift or collect one-of-a-kind pieces made with care. To browse the collection, visit Brookwood’s online shop.
In a world where so much gets tossed aside, Brookwood is proving that beauty—and purpose—can be found in the smallest, most colorful scraps.
Stay Tuned
To support Brookwood’s mission, learn about upcoming events, or find more ways to get involved in the community, be sure to stay connected with My Neighborhood News. One crayon at a time, we can make a brighter, more inclusive—and less wasteful—world.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
