The best brands of sustainable drawing pencils

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.

Keep pencils away from young children and pets, and never litter them (they end up in the sea, and you will know how it hurts, if you ever accidentally stabbed your hand with a pencil or pen.

Most plantable pencils use seeds from abroad (not native species) and many flowers, herbs and onions are toxic to pets. Only use if made with native seeds, and pet-free homes/gardens.

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 can colours with your office!

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.

Tom’s 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. 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.

Vent 4 Change (pencils made with upcycled plastic)

This the main brand of eco pencils in England, which uses profits to fund children’s education abroad. These pink pencils are made from recycled CD cases. Also in green.

We don’t recommend the recycled leather notebooks, as this could create a market for new leather. 

Where to recycle plastic pencils and pens

Terracycle offers a free writing instruments recycling programme, just order a box and communities can add unwanted pens, pencils, highlighters, correction fluids, felt-tips pens and erasers. Sent off to recycle into other things.