Coloring is a classic children’s pastime, but are Crayola markers vegan? Are Crayola crayons vegan? We’ll discuss why or why not and give you five eco-friendly alternatives.
Crayola is a well-known American brand that produces millions of markers and crayons in over 400 colors every day. But are Crayola products vegan? You might not think this question applies to art supplies, but they’re often not vegan-friendly. Many markers, crayons and paints contain colors and ingredients derived from animal byproducts like gelatin, eggs and bone-char, along with insect byproducts like bug shells and beeswax. So what about Crayola?
The exact ingredients in Crayola products are a trade secret, but we do know that most markers and crayons have paraffin wax and color pigment. The problem lies in where the color pigment comes from, if the crayons contain tallow (beef fat, mainly from cows) and what the production process involves.
Although most of the ingredients are a mystery, according to Crayola, their products are made using stearic acid, which can be from plant or animal sources. The stearic acid in Crayola products likely comes from tallow or animal fat, which means Crayola markets and crayons are not vegan.
Does Crayola Test on Animals?
Although Crayola products are not vegan, the company confirmed that they do not test their markers and crayons on animals with the following 2018 tweet:
“We’re happy to share that Crayola does not test its products on animals. While a variety of Crayola products contain animal by-products [sic], our product formulas are proprietary and we don’t have additional information to share.”
The company’s website even has a page dedicated to teaching kids about stopping animal cruelty — a move that can be seen as contradictory, considering their products are not animal-friendly.
5 Vegan Alternatives to Crayola
Crayola may be the most well-known brand for coloring materials, but look a little deeper and you can find alternatives that don’t use animal products.
Here are 5 vegan alternatives to Crayola:
- Chartpak Spectra AD Markers are 100 percent vegan. They have a high-performance score and consistently earn high reviews. They are pricier than Crayola; however, customers claim they last for a much longer time. You can find both single pens and sets on Amazon**. Chartpack also offers a duel-tip product called Spectra AD Markers, also available on Amazon**.
- Copic Markers are another excellent alternative to Crayola products. They are re-fillable, reducing plastic waste, and provide replacement nibs — making them an environmentally friendly choice. You can purchase Copic markets on Amazon**.
- Azafran Organic Crayons are cruelty-free and are available at a great price. These crayons are non-greasy and have good reviews, so why not support a company dedicated to making vegan and organic products? You can find a large selection of Azafran Organic Crayons on Amazon**.
- Wee Can Too Veggie Baby Crayons are also working to make non-toxic, eco-friendly vegan products. Founded by two moms on a mission to provide high-quality, safe art supplies for babies and toddlers, the products are made from plant-based ingredients.
- Doug and Melissa Crayons are vegan-friendly and have the added advantage of being triangular, so they won’t roll away. Slightly pricier than Crayola, these crayons give you everything you need — ethically. They are also available to purchase on Amazon**.
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