Eco-Friendly Drawing Pencils (the best choices)
Millions of pencils exist across England, whether for drawing, sketching or just scribbling notes in offices, the kitchen or at school. But was with most things, this comes with environmental consequences.
Years ago, most pencils contained lead (which were toxic to all creatures including us). But today most pencils are made from soft cedarwood (easy to sharpen). However, this has caused mass deforestation, with around 82,000 trees cut down each year to make the world’s 14 billion or so pencils.
Add to that the toxic paints used to colour the nibs and outside (and the plastic packaging) and you can see the issues. Plus when pencils are littered, their slim size means they get missed by filters, and often end up in the sea, where they can puncture and harm marine creatures, especially soft-bellied ones.
Cedar wood is usually from ‘sustainable forests’. But this still means great mono cultures of trees grown with pesticides. And most cedar is from California, so that’s a huge carbon footprint in shipping the wood here to make pencils that often people never use (one may be taken out of a pack, and the rest thrown in a drawer).
And due to the paints used to coat them, they don’t just break down (you can’t put them in compost bins). So that’s more landfill waste to last for hundreds of years.
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.
Vent 4 Change (upcycled plastic pencils)
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.
Some of their notebooks are made from recycled leather (this can help to create a market for new leather, so we don’t recommend).
Upcycled newspaper 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.
Recycled newspaper pencils cut down on waste and save trees. Each box gives old papers a new life, reducing landfill and need for new timber.
Treesaver offers eco-friendly and colouring pencils for shops, offices and schools.
What about ‘plantable pencils?
You’ve likely seen these in shops. They sound like a great idea: buy a pencil then after use, soak it and plant it in the garden to grow herbs or flowers.
But not so fast. Most of these brands use seeds from abroad, so if you plant non-native species, this is not good for wildlife-friendly gardens.
The other issue is that many herbs, onions and wildflowers are toxic to pets. So you don’t want to be planting poppies or daffodils in homes with animal friends (not sending plantable pencils or pens to homes with pets). It’s best to avoid them really, unless the seeds are guaranteed pet-safe and organic. Read more on pet-friendly gardens.
Bamboo alloy pencils (never need sharpening)
Bamboo (the world’s fastest-growing grass) is not local (it’s usually imported from China). But if sea-freighted, bamboo grows far quicker than wood, so helps to save trees. Industrial bamboo is not the same as fresh shoots, eaten by pandas.
These bamboo alloy pencils ship from the USA, but are expected to last a lifetime. One pack includes 10 pencils (can be erased with a regular eraser, not included). These pencils don’t smudge.
Bamboo pencils are light yet hardy, and have a nice slightly woody scent. Whereas trees take decades to grow and harvest, bamboo plants are back to where they were, within weeks or months of being harvested. So have a far lower carbon footprint.
Switching to eco friendly pencils is one of the simplest ways to help the planet. Whether you sketch, take notes, or just love a good crossword, these pencils add a happy, green twist to your everyday routine.
A 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.
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.
Where to recycle plastic pencils and pens
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).
