Pencil Holders (made from recycled newspapers)

The pencil holders are also randomly unique, but you can ask for a colour theme and they will try to match it to your office. Handmade by a social enterprise in Sri Lanka, these are perfect to stash all your pens and pencils.

It’s true that newspaper breaks down in landfills (unlike plastic). But this still causes methane, a potent greenhouse gas to be released. So making old newspapers into other things, helps to reduce emissions and therefore climate change.

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.

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).

Recycled Newspaper Photo Frames

The matching photo frames are in 2 sizes, with an attached stand to place the photos on portrait or landscape or a flat surface. There is no glass/plastic cover, nor fiddly hooks, just slots to slip photos in.