Bryan Ware, an inventive dad in San Francisco, has come up with a brilliant way to reuse leftover crayons that get thrown out by restaurants and schools – he melts them down and recycles them into new crayons for children at hospitals.

He came up with the idea in 2011 when celebrating his birthday at a restaurant. His waiter had brought his two sons some crayons, and he wondered where the crayons go after they’re done with them. His discovery that they get thrown out led to the Crayon Initiative, which delivers crayons to hospitals throughout California.

More info: thecrayoninitiative.org | Facebook | Twitter (h/t: themighty )

Every year, up to 75,000 pounds of crayons get thrown away by restaurants and schools

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-1

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-1 - 1

Creative dad Bryan Ware found a brilliant solution – he melts them down

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-2

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-2 - 2

He then pours them into special custom molds

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-4

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-4 - 3

He makes 96 new crayons each time he does this

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-3

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-3 - 4

These crayons are thicker and easier to grasp for young children and kids with special needs

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-10

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-10 - 5

The finished crayons are delivered to hospitals throughout California

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-7

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-7 - 6

They’ve already delivered more than 2,000 boxes

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-13

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-13 - 7

“If these crayons give them an escape from that hospital room for ten minutes, we did our job,” said Bryan Ware

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-6

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-6 - 8

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-9

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-9 - 9

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-18

children-hospitals-recycling-crayon-initiative-bryan-ware-18 - 10

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Unlock an Enhanced Experience with Bored Panda Premium

Go ad-free, access unlimited content, and enjoy our sleek dark mode. Your favorite stories, uninterrupted.

Dad Finds Brilliant Way To Reuse Leftover Crayons From Restaurants And Schools - 11

No fees, cancel anytime

“Always On The Wrong Side Of History”: Beyoncé’s New Hairstyle Reveal Sparks Wild Reactions - 12 Olympian Makes Stunning Admission After Judge's Conspicuous Scores Ignite Cheating Accusations - 13

Olympian Makes Stunning Admission After Judge’s Conspicuous Scores Ignite Cheating Accusations

54 Times Dumb People Posted Cringeworthy Stuff Online And It Hurts To Read (New Pics) - 14

54 Times Dumb People Posted Cringeworthy Stuff Online And It Hurts To Read (New Pics)