Bic pens were invented back in 1950 and it’s estimated that one pen is sold every minute (around 2 billion each year). So there is immense litter created from discarded plastic pens (if you’ve accidentally stabbed your hand with a pen, imagine how pens harm marine creatures). Cheap pens are often sold in plastic packs, and some big charities give away ‘free pens’ to entice people to donate. Most ballpoint pens are also made from different plastics, so difficult to recycle. Styrene (the main plastic in pens) is one of the world’s most hazardous chemicals.
Keep pens & pencils away from young children & pets. Avoid using plantable pens near pets, as most contain wildflowers. Learn more on how to make your garden safe for pets.
Good Tuesday (a company which makes recycled paper notepads) also sells nice refillable pens to use them with. The range includes:
Kaweko Perkeo Rollerball Pen is an affordable and stylish pen in several colour choices. It offers smooth writing, and a 16-sided barrel to prevent the pen from rolling, and uses international standard rollerball refills, meaning it will last you years. The snap-on cap securely closes to protect the tip and prevent ink from drying out. The grip section is designed for comfort, and slightly textured for a firm hold.
The Gel Ballpoint Pens have a 0.5mm tip for smooth writing with black ink. Made in Japan from wood with a metal mechanism, this pen is also refillable.
A Pack of Eco-Friendly Ballpoint Pens
This pack of eco-friendly ballpoint pens are made from recycled paper, with medium nibs and comfortable non-slip grip and a smooth even flow writing experience. Sold in a pack of 10 with black ink, the pens are also easy to recycle. At end of use, just soak the pen in hot water for around 2 minutes. Unravel the paper shaft, remove the stainless steel ink chamber, and recycle all the parts appropriately. Each pen is tightly hand-rolled down to the nib.
Tom’s Refillable Pens and Modern Fountain Pens
Fountain pens have moved on from the ones that required fiddly ink pots that leaked down your shirt. Tom’s Studio was founded by a craftsman who was inspired to create refillable pens, after watching his wife use a plastic mass-produced calligraphy pen, which he did not feel matched the quality of her beautiful work. A former furniture designer, he decided to create something better.
Lumos Pro is a beautiful refillable fineliner, with brush pen, 2 writing tips and 9 artist’s tips.
The Wren is made from aluminium, a beautiful writing refillable pen.
The Fountain pens have 6 interchangeable nibs, a reassuring weight and a clever cap design, for a lighter more comfortable writing experience. The Shimmer Inks are all nontoxic and vegan-friendly.
If you do leak ink on your shirt, immediately cover with a little salt and dab with a wet paper towel, then brush until the stain disappears. If that doesn’t work, blot the stain and soak with a sponge and a little rubbing alcohol for 15 minutes. If that doesn’t work, mix cool water with oxygen bleach and soak for 8 hours, before laundering.
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).
