An estimated 2 billoin pens are sold worldwide each year. This collectively means thousands of tons of plastic waste (pens are often missed by sorting machines and end up in our seas). And if you’ve ever accidentally stabbed your hand with a pen, you can imagine how pens harm marine creatures. Pens are cheap to buy, so sold in multi-packs (in plastic packaging). Some charities give away ‘free pens’ to entice people to donate, and this leads to more plastic waste .
Tuska bamboo stylus pen is made from the world’s fastest-growing grass (industrial bamboo is not the same as fresh shoots eaten by pandas). Made from metal with refills, this lightweight comfortable pen has a nifty metal clip you can attach to a notebook, so you don’t lose it.
Pens are choking hazards and also contain inks. So keep them in drawers (or pencil cases) away from young children and pets.
Most ballpoint pens are made from different types of plastic, so are very difficult to recycle. The plastic used (styrene) is listed as one of the world’s 100 most hazardous chemicals, so not good for the people in factories who make them either. And the small caps are made from a ‘safer plastic’, but are so small they often clog recycling machines.
Plastic-free ballpoint biros are made from recycled paper, right down to the nib. All paper elements of the pens (and packaging) biodegrade at end of use. Just soak the pen in hot water for a few minutes to unravel the paper shaft, then remove the stainless steel ink chamber and recycle.
This eco cork refillable pen is made from aluminium and cork (no trees are cut down, the bark is simply stripped every few years). Sold in a stylish cardboard pouch, this features an ergonomic design for comfortable writing and makes a lovely gift, with an extra refill in the box.
Vent for Change (Bristol) uses waste plastic to turn into new pens (so not biodegradable) but helping to close the loop of new plastic being made for pens. With profits helping children’s education, the only caveat is that a few items are made with recycled leather (we don’t list these). The Reclaim range includes pens in different colours:
- Cream is made from old CD cases
- Coffee & cherry are made from plastic drinks bottles
- Black, kiwi, blue & lavender are made from single-use plastic
These natural grass pens are made from meadowgrass and a tiny bit of recycled plastic. In black or beige, these are designed to be refilled. And at end of use, you can send them back, to be recycled into new products. Made in Taiwan in a green-powered factory, they feature a triangular comfortable grip and are sent in stone paper packaging. For every pen sold, the company donates 100 litres of fresh water to a charity helping developing countries.
a refillable pen to help world peace
The Humanium Pen (with refills) writes with blue or black soy ink, and is designed to last forever (you can recycle the parts). The beauty of this pen is that it’s made from melted upcycled (illegal confiscated) firearms (2000 people daily are wounded worldwide by one of the 875 million firearms in circulation). Packed in a cork and aluminium box (which serves as a pen-holder), this is made in a green energy factory. Read more on how to create world peace (for all beings).
are plantable pens a good idea?
Like plantable greetings cards, these are embedded with seeds that grow wildflowers at end of use, by planting the pens in the ground. Sounds good, but there is a huge caveat. Many flowers (and other plants) are toxic to pets, so if you plant or gift them, only do so to pet-free homes. Most pens don’t say what seeds are within the shaft, so there’s no way of knowing.
is government acting on plastic pens?
Not really. In October 2023, a ban on single-use plastics came into force so apart from special circumstances (like medical use), plastic straws, cutlery and a few other items are now banned from sale. But not pens, even though they do as much damage to the planet.
where to recycling existing plastic pens
Terracycle offers a free writing instruments recycling programme, sponsored by industry. Just get together and deposit all plastic pens and other items, ‘get them out of town for good’, to make into other items. This stops them falling down drains and going into the sea. You can use the box to recycle felt tips, highlighters, markers, correction fluids or tape, mechanical pencils and eraser pens (caps included). You can also download a poster to display near the recycling box (say in a school, office or community shop).
where can you donate unwanted pens?
Pens for Kids accepts donations of working pens, which are donated to schools in developing countries, so children without access to materials can study for better education. This is a good idea in theory, but we have to be careful not to go down the route of ‘sending all our trash to Africa’.
This has happened frequently, leading to fires on landfills (due to no refuse/recycling systems) for companies sending unwanted laptops to Gambia. Also some companies encourage people to ‘donate’ disposable plastic menstrual products to countries that are very poor (so often share them, not good on a continent ravaged with AIDS). Local companies are making biodegradable pads with papyrus leaves without our help, and also create local jobs.
how to remove ink stains from clothing
We’ve all done it, accidentally had a pen leak down our shirt. Try to deal with the stain immediately (before laundering or you’ll ‘set the stain’ and it will never come out). One idea is to cover it with a little salt, dab with a wet paper towel and brush until the stain has disappeared.
If that doesn’t work, blot the stain, then use a sponge with rubbing alcohol (soak for 15 minutes). And if that doesn’t work, mix cool water with oxygen bleach (never normal bleach) and soak for 8 hours, before laundering.
wood-free recycled newspaper pencils
Conventional pencils these days tend to all be made from cedar wood. It’s unlikely you can find the centres made from anything else, 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, to provide local jobs and income. Each pencil is unique, and is a great way to cut global waste.
pencil holders made from recycled newspaper
These pencil holders are made from recycled newspaper. Randomly unique, 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.