Northwestern College extends 100 Days of Giving Challenge, launches Crayola ColorCycle Program

[Bridgeview, IL] This fall Northwestern College (NC) is extending a challenge to its students, faculty and staff with the launch of its 100 Days of Giving Challenge. From August 20 through November 27, the College will be hosting a series of events providing opportunities to give back to the community, or urging others to share how they are giving back in their own communities. The College first announced the Challenge in mid-August with the launch of the Crayola ColorCyle Program.

The ColorCycle Program aims to repurpose used markers rather than sending them to landfills. Introducing Crayola’s ColorCycle to the Bridgeview Campus involved the provision of drop-off boxes throughout the campus for the NC community to deposit markers that are no longer usable, as well as highlighters and dry erase markers. This was followed by a communications campaign to introduce the program to the Northwestern College community.

As part of this environment-sustaining effort, each of the drop-off boxes throughout the campus can be used to discard Crayola markers, as well as those of other brands.

Mona Najib, Northwestern College’s Executive Director of Human Resources, provided details of the program in an email to all staff. According to Najib, the ColorCycle Program takes the discarded markers and also turns them into energy. Since 2013, the ColorCycle Program has repurposed more than 70 tons of expended markers in the United States and Canada. The program uses the most advanced plastic conversion technologies available today to make wax compounds for asphalt and roofing shingles, as well as to generate electricity that can be used to heat homes, cook food and power vehicles.

The launch of the ColorCyle Program – the first initiative of the 100 Days of Giving Challenge – provides Northwestern College students, staff and faculty with yet another opportunity to sustain the environment. By teaming up with Crayola, a company that is consistently seeking innovative solutions, Northwestern College can be a part of the elimination of hundreds of tons of markers from placement in landfills. Simultaneously, the promotion of the Crayola ColorCycle Program allows for the recycled materials to create energy.

“We are excited to begin the 100 Days of Giving Challenge at Northwestern College,” professed Lawrence Schumacher, Northwestern College’s President. “The repurposing of discarded highlighters – a college staple – makes a lot of sense. It’s an easy way to contribute to the sustaining of our environment, and the bonus…it helps to provide energy!”

“Remember, don’t throw out that used marker – ColorCycle it!” Najib proclaimed.

About Northwestern College:
Northwestern College (NC) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 263-0456, www.hlcommission.org. The college offers focused career-oriented associate degree and certificate programs with flexible schedules and a supportive faculty. Day, evening, weekend, online classes and online programs are available. More information can be found at www.NC.edu or by calling toll-free (888) 205-2283.