Conventional pencils these days tend to all be made from cedar wood, but you can buy pencils with the outer casings made from tree-free materials. Wood-free recycled newspaper pencils are handmade by a social enterprise in Sri Lanka.
Keep pens & pencils away from young children & pets. Avoid using plantable pencils near pets, as most contain wildflowers. Learn more on how to create a garden safe for pets.
Billions of pencils are sold worldwide, and many end up going down storm drains and into the sea. And if you’ve ever accidentally stabbed your hand with a pencil, you can imagine how pens harm marine creatures.
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).
A Mechanical Pencil with Refillable Graphite Lead
Tom’s mechanical pencil has solid brass grip, and aluminium body. Sold with refillable leads and a quality pencil eraser.
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 also download a poster to display near the recycling box, and all items are sent off to be made into other things (like park benches).
Pretty Pencil Cases (from recycled cotton)
Karenza & Co (Hampshire) makes pretty pastel pencil cases, made using recycled cotton from the fashion industry, printed with eco-friendly dyes. These feature heavy-duty hand-tied zips, and also work as good make-up bags. Choose your favourite colour and you even add an initial for a nice zero waste gift.
Pencil 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. If wished, you can ask for the most prominent colour, and they will try to match your office decor.
Although we live in the digital age, there remains a huge waste paper mountain worldwide (the smell at landfills is usually due to rotting paper). And of course, the more paper that is recycled, the better it is for trees!
