The Problem with Pens
Millions of pens are produced every year. However, the combination of plastic, metal, and ink used to create these pens makes them harmful to the environment and difficult to recycle.
Fortunately, there are several companies offering more eco-friendly pens. While completely sustainable pens are nonexistent, the market is expanding and there is now a plethora of options to suit a variety of needs.
Alternatives
The most eco-friendly alternative to conventional pens is not using pens at all.
Pencils
A standard pencil requires less energy to produce than a petroleum-based pen with a metal tip. Pencils are also compostable once the metal piece below the eraser is removed.
While the fast-growing basswood used to make pencils is relatively sustainable, using recycled paper is a great alternative to cutting down more trees.
Three Leaf and Parwana are two brands following this model.
Digital Formats
It is difficult to say whether it is more sustainable to take notes or draw on a digital device, given the amount of energy it takes to mine, assemble, and power them. However, this option can significantly reduce your plastic waste.
Consumer’s Guide to Eco-Friendly Pens
While there are no 100% recyclable or compostable pens, there are several low-waste options.
Disposable
Consider buying disposable pens made from partially biodegradable and recycled materials.
Conscience Concepts uses cork and wheat straw to create their pens. Cork is incredibly sustainable because the tree is able to easily shed and regrow its bark.
Onyx and Green creates pens from a variety of recycled and sustainable materials, including PET plastics, milk cartons, coffee beans, cork, wheat straw, and bamboo.
Refillable
Refillable ink cartridges allow you to significantly extend the lifespan of your pens.
Many pens use a universal ink cartridge, so you may be able to reuse the pens you have now. If not, opt for a barrel made from biodegradable or recycled materials.
The brand Pilot recently released the B2P or Bottle-2-Pen made from recycled water bottles.
Seltzer Goods’ Seven Year Pen is another great option that supposedly holds enough ink to last seven years, given that you write 1-2 meters of ink every day.
Fountain
Fountain pens are the most expensive option on the market. However, they are the most sustainable as the hardware is built to last for generations.
Fountain pens are usually made from metal and refilled with loose ink. While the mining process may be environmentally damaging, the long term impact is significantly less than a lifetime of plastic pens.
Lamy pens are the most renowned. They are even on permanent display at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
ZenZoi has also released a more eco-friendly fountain pen option made partially from bamboo.
Second hand fountain pens can also be sourced from eBay. This is a very sustainable option as it repurposes metals that have already been mined.