A Mechanical Pencil (with Refillable Lead)

Switching to eco friendly pencils is one of the simplest ways to help the planet. Whether you sketch, take notes, or just love a good crossword, these pencils add a happy, green twist to your everyday routine.

Pencils are choking hazards, so keep them away from young children and pets. Some plantable ‘seed pencils’ contain wildflowers that are not safe near animal friends. Read our post on pet-friendly gardens.

Never throw pencils on the street. Any litter ends up going down storm drains and into the sea. If you’ve ever accidentally stabbed your hand with a pencil, you can imagine how discarded pens and pencils can harm marine creatures.

Some unique pencils are mechanical. So instead of using graphite, they use metal to ‘write’ with pencils that last forever. These pencils are particularly popular with students and engineers.

Tom’s mechanical pencil has solid brass grip, and aluminium body. Sold with refillable leads.

Mechanical pencils save you from endless sharpening and constant replacements. You only need to refill the lead and occasionally replace the eraser.

This means fewer trips to the shop and less waste in your pencil case. Even after months of daily use, your pencil will feel and perform like new.

Where to Recycle Plastic Pens and Pencils

Terracycle offers a free writing instruments recycling programme, sponsored by industry. Just order a box for your office, school or community then everyone can deposit unwanted pens, pencils, highlighters, correction fluids, felt-tips pens and erasers.

You can download a poster to display near the recycling box, and all items are sent off to be made into other things (like park benches).