The Best Brands of Eco-Friendly Pencils

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.

This pack of wood-free pencils includes five high quality HB pencils with 2mm nibs, hand-rolled using bright colours of recycled newspaper. The pencils are made by artisans at a social enterprise in Sri Lanka, to give good jobs and income, then sold by a small Fair Trade company in West Sussex.

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.

Recycled newspaper pencils cut down on waste and save trees. Each box gives old papers a new life, reducing landfill and need for new timber.

Pencils Made from Recycled CD Cases

Vent for Change offers pencils that use recycled CD cases for the body, sold in cardboard packaging. Sold in a pack of 3, these are tree-free, yet sharpen like cedarwood pencils. The company does sell some items made from recycled leather (we don’t list these, as it may create a market).

Recycled CD case pencils offer surprising strength. The reclaimed plastic makes the barrel less likely to snap under pressure. You get a pencil that holds up to regular use, whether you’re jotting notes at school or sketching at your desk.

Each pencil reclaims plastic that would otherwise end up in landfill or the ocean. Old CD cases are shredded and processed into new, usable barrels. This keeps single-use plastics in the loop and reduces demand for fresh materials.

A Box of Quality Bamboo Alloy Pencils

Bamboo (the world’s fastest-growing grass) is not local (it’s usually imported from China). But if sea-freighted, bamboo grows far quicker than wood, so helps to save trees. Industrial bamboo is not the same as fresh shoots, eaten by pandas.

These bamboo alloy pencils ship from the USA, but are expected to last a lifetime. One pack includes 10 pencils (can be erased with a regular eraser, not included). These pencils don’t smudge.

Bamboo pencils are light yet hardy, and have a nice slightly woody scent. Whereas trees take decades to grow and harvest, bamboo plants are back to where they were, within weeks or months of being harvested. So have a far lower carbon footprint.

A Mechanical Pencil (with Refillable Lead)

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.

Pencils Pots Made from Recycled Newspaper

These pencil pots made from recycled newspaper (also in round versions) are naturally colourful, and made by artisans in India. They try to match colours with office decor.

Choosing pencil pots made from recycled newspaper cuts down on waste. Newspapers already get tossed away in huge amounts every day. Instead of sending them to landfill, they’re given a new life as handy organisers.

Every recycled newspaper pencil pot looks a bit different, thanks to the mix of headlines, photos, and the original print. You rarely get two that look exactly the same.

Many people think paper won’t last, but these pencil pots are surprisingly strong. Most can handle pens, scissors, and other desk items without bending or breaking. Unlike glass or metal pots, these are lightweight and safe even for children to use. If they drop one, it won’t shatter or dent floors.

Pretty Recycled Cotton Pencil Cases

Heart & Parcel is a Hampshire brand of pretty recycled office goods, mostly made from cotton waste from the fashion industry. In various styles, the pencil cases feature quality zips. You can choose from various styles: floral, muted or dark styles, or even geometric shapes and bright colours.

The pencil cases feature feature heavy-duty hand-tied zips, and also work as good make-up bags. Choose your favourite colour and add an initial, if wished. Recycled cotton slashes water use compared to new cotton. Traditional cotton farming soaks up vast amounts of water.

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).