writing instruments - greenbiz · 2019-12-18 · pens that were not as temperamental as the...

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WRITING INSTRUMENTS

JANUARY 1998

Although we throw them away,they can impact the environmentin ways we do not often thinkabout. Pens, pencils and markersare often tossed into the garbageand not recycled or reused. Theircomponents and packaging aremade from non-renewableresources and can containenvironmentally damagingchemicals. Thesetoo arediscarded intoour landfillsor incinerated.

As consumers,however, we can makeeducated decisions in ourpurchasing of theseitems–decisions that willhelp to lessen their impactupon our naturalenvironment. Manycompanies presently carry

one to several lines of productswhich have positive environmentalattributes. These attributes includerecycled content, refillable options,non-toxic inks and moreenvironmentally responsiblepackaging.

This Choose Green Report willdiscuss these advantages and what

to look for when makingwriting instrumentpurchases. Green

Seal has surveyedmanufacturers and

distributors and hasrecommended products in

various categories for ourproduct table. TheRecommended Products Tablecontains information onmanufacturers and brands, aswell as information on recycledcontent, “refillability”,packaging and availability.

ince almost the beginning of time, it has been man’s desire to

create the written word, in order to educate, inform, inspire

and to simply show proof of existence. Writing tools started out as

simple chalky rocks or charred sticks but quickly evolved into the first

pens. Pencils appeared soon after. Other writing instruments such as

markers and crayons are more recent late nineteenth, twentieth-century

creations.

Today, the writing instrument industry is booming and sales have

reached over 3 billion dollars per year. These writing implements have

become a part of our daily lives and we often throw them away without

a second thought. For example, every year Americans discard 1.6

million pens. Placed end to end, they would stretch 151 miles —

equivalent to crossing the state of Rhode Island almost 4 times!

2 Choose Green Report

PencilsA typical pencil consists of a

thin cylinder of graphite mixedwith clay and enclosed in wood(usually cedar), metal or plastic forease in gripping. The first pencilappeared around 1400. Althoughthe term “lead pencil” is commonlyused, this is a misconception.Pencils have always been madefrom graphite (once considered tobe a form of lead). In 1896, anAmerican inventor discovered aprocess to make graphite fromcoke. Virtually all pencilsmanufactured in the U.S. now usethis process instead of naturalgraphite.The first mechanicalpencil appeared as early as 1822.It was created in order to be rid ofthe “nuisance” of sharpening. Butthe public’s affection for thetraditional wood and graphitepencil has remained andmechanical pencil sales remaincomparatively small. Nationwide,pencils account for $121 million inannual sales.

Many pencil manufacturerscarry a brand of pencils that aremade with some percentage of

The Choose Green Report is publishedfor Green Seal Environmental Partners.To become an Environmental Partner,or to receive a copy of this report, contactGreen Seal at (202) 588-8400 x 21 [email protected].

Green Seal President and CEO, Arthur B.Weissman

Editor, Tanya Krista Maenhardt

Environmental Partners MembershipCoordinator, Lisa A. Carr

Design, Cutting Edge Graphics

Printed on Green Seal-certifiedMohawk Satin Cool White Recycled paper,25% postconsumer content

Copyright © 1997, Green Seal, Inc.www.greenseal.org

GREEN SEALEnvironmental Partner

recycledcontent.Pencils arebeing madefromeverythingfrom discardedblue jeans, tocardboardcontainers andnewspapers, toold money!Someentrepreneurshave evendevelopedunique pencilsmade from

agricultural waste, dead twigs andparts of invasive trees. Many areproducing mechanical pencils,which are often designed to berefilled.

When choosing a pencil to buy,Green Seal recommends selectingpencils that have a recycledcontent or are made of amaterial that wouldotherwise be placed intoour waste stream (likefurniture cast-offs). Ifusing mechanical pencils,always use the refillablekind. Always look for pencilsand refills that are packed inrecycled or lightweightpackaging. This should beclearly indicated on the packageitself.

PensThe first “pen” appeared

around 1500 B.C. when theEgyptians used reeds that weresplit or carved so that the endscould apply ink. The first quill penappeared 2000 years later whenmonks during the Roman Empire(who had little access to reeds)

found that goose quills could holdink and deliver it to a nib. Ink-storing fountain pens appeared inthe eighteenth and nineteenthcenturies. They were firstmanufactured in great quantity byL.E. Waterman in 1884 and theywere extremely popular. Theballpoint came alongapproximately half a century laterand was created partly out ofnecessity. The military duringWorld War II needed greatnumbers of rugged and reliablepens that were not astemperamental as the fountainpen. By 1949, sales of ballpointsfar out-numbered those of fountainpens. The rolling-ball pen is themost recent of pen innovations.

Today the choice of penmanufacturers, as well as penbrands is as vast as their

applications.When choosinga pen, GreenSealrecommendspens with arecycled and/or refillableattribute.Choosing arecycled penkeeps plastic,wood, andsometimes

metal from becoming apart of our growing waste

stream. Remember tolook for pens with non-

toxic inks, as well.

Recycled pensoften incorporate

recycled, coloredHDPE (high

densitypolyethylene)

#2, other HDPE, LDPE (low densitypolyethylene), or PS (polystyrene).Colored HDPE is found in suchitems as soda and other types of

Green Seal

recommends

selecting pencils

that have a

recycled content

or are made

from material

that would

otherwise be

placed into our

waste stream.

Green Seal

recommends

pens that are

recycled and/or

refillable and

that have

non-toxic inks.

Choose Green Report 3

colored bottles and is prized for itsresistance to breakage and its lowcost. Clear HDPE is used to makemilk jugs and detergent bottles,while LDPE is most often found inplastic bags. PS is used to makesuch items as yogurt cups, platesand cutlery. Pens will alsooccasionally incorporate recycledmetals, such as copper, into theirdesign.

By choosing a refillable option,only the internal rod containingthe ink and point are thrown away.The outer barrel can be reused agreat number of times. Refillablepens are not expensive and neitherare their refills. Seek out productswith “less packaging” as well,which include pens sold in bulk orthose packaged minimally (thisshould be clearly stated on thepackaging). Look for recycled andrecyclable packaging.

CrayonsCrayons

were inventedapproximately100 years agoand untilrecently, littlehas changedfrom thepetroleum-based paraffinwax crayonthat Americahas becomefamiliar with.TheseAmerican iconshowever, weremade with adwindling, non-renewableresource-petroleum.

Highlighters and fine-line markerswere first seen in the 1970’s.Permanent markers also becameavailable around this time. Superfine-points and dry erasemarkers gained popularityin the 1990’s. Therecent challenge ofmarkermanufacturersis to makemarkersthat arenon-

toxic, and won’tgive off astrong odor orbleed throughpapers.

Green Sealrecommendsseeking out refillable markersthat also have non-toxic inks,whenever possible. Althoughsometimes difficult to find,several manufacturers havemade them available. Arefillable attribute meansraw materials and energyare not needlessly wasted, aswith non-refillable markers.Refillable markers eithercome with refills or are madeto be refilled with fresh inkwhen the pen begins to fade,by opening a tube at the top of themarker and adding more ink.Remember to choose markers thatare packaged responsibly.

Green Seal

recommends

choosing

crayons made

from a

renewable

resource

(like soybeans)

that

are

non-toxic.

Green Seal

recommends

seeking out

refillable

markers that

also have

non-toxic

inks.

In 1994 this was all about tochange. During that year atPurdue University, as part of anannual contest to develop newsoybean products, studentscreated the first crayon made fromsoybeans. All of the paraffin waxwas replaced with soybean oil.

Soybean oil is easily obtainablein the U.S., since the U.S. is theworld leader in soybeanproduction, producing over 2billion bushels per year. Thiswould produce well over 1 trillioncrayons!

Soybean crayons are now beingproduced in mass numbers. Thereare also a few companies whichare recycling the traditionalpetroleum crayons. Green Sealrecommends choosing crayonsmade from a renewable resourcewhenever possible. All crayonsmanufactured today should benon-toxic and should be clearlymarked as such on the packaging.If crayons made from a renewableresource are not available, chooserecycled products.

MarkersThe first marker was probably

the felt tip marker, created in the1940’s. It was mainly used forlabeling and artistic applications.In 1952, Sidney Rosenthal beganmarketing his “Magic Marker”which consisted of a glass bottlethat held ink and a wool felt wick.

By 1958, the marker had foundits way into the homeand office, and peopleused it for lettering,labelling, markingpackages and creatingposters.The markerwas expanded andrefined in order tohandle specific tasks.


A Word On PlasticsPlastics are made from

petroleum or derivatives of naturalgas, both of which are non-renewable resources. Plastics havebecome a main ingredient inour everyday livesand U.S. productionof plastics averagesan annual growthrate of 10%. Plasticsoffer manyadvantages to writinginstruments, includingrigidity, low weight,grip comfort, shatterresistance, style andcolor.

Yet, although plasticoffers a number of advantages toproducts, most plastic, afterconsumer use, is landfilled. One-third of all plastics used have alife-span of less than one year, andeach American dumps 115 poundsof plastic into the waste streamevery year (which includes theplastics from 1.6 million pens).Plastics can contain additives suchas colorants, stabilizers,plasticizers and heavy metals suchas lead and cadmium. All of thesehave the potential to contribute tothe toxic leachate created inlandfills. Sometimes plastics areincinerated instead of beinglandfilled. When they are burned,plastics release harmful dioxins.Plastic litter can pose threats tomarine life and cause aestheticand economic losses.

Only 1% of plastic is recycledafter use. But recycling is veryimportant. For example, you candecrease the amount of energyconsumed by 88% by recyclingversus creating virgin plastics.Recycling can save money. Half ofthe waste in the waste stream ispackaging waste and the restincludes non-durable consumer

goods like pens and mechanicalpencils.

Although almost all plastic istechnically recyclable, most is notbecause recycling infrastructure

simply does not exist. Mostcurrent recycling effortshave been focused onPET (polyethyleneterephthalate) which iscontained in soft drinkcontainers (whichaccounts for only 3% ofplastic waste) and milkjugs. There are severalmajor factors limitingplastics recycling. First,

the recycling ofsingle resins islimited by thelack of abilityto separate amixture ofplastic easily(such as thosecollected at thecurbside).Separation isessentialbecausemixing twodifferent resinsis like mixingwood withsteel and onewrong plasticbottle couldruin the whole

batch! Curbside collection is alsoexpensive and not all areas offer it.In some parts of the country, it cancost as much as $200 per ton torecycle plastics as compared to$40 to landfill or incinerate it!

We as consumers must focus agreat deal more attention torecycling efforts. Ask questions!Demand recycling legislation andsupport laws that encouragepositive environmental practices!Make the effort to find and utilize

recycling centers. This willencourage aid from county andlocal governments. Finally, we asconsumers must get away from thepurchase-consume-disposementality. Remember to chooserecycled and refillable writingimplements.

InksWe should be concerned about

certain inks because they aremade from petroleum-a non-renewable resource; they are notbiodegradable; and because theyfrequently contain harsh chemicalsand heavy metals. Some pen andmany marker inks are based onwater, alcohol, turpentine andwax. They can also containacetone, ammonia, cresol, ethanol,naptha, phenol, toluene or xyleneand other chemicals. Markers thatcontain these products can oftenbe identified by their strong smell.Pens often give off a more subtleodor. Many inks, thankfully, noware water-based and non-toxic.Often the packaging will makereference to this fact. Non-toxic byindustry standards means thatthere are not sufficient amount ofchemicals contained in the productto be toxic or injurious to humansor to cause health problems (acuteor chronic) when used for itsnormal, intended use.

Most of the environmentalconcern however, has been notwith the inks used in pens butinstead with printing inks (whichare found on the packagingcontaining writing instruments).The pigments in these inks cancontain toxic heavy metals such aslead, mercury and cadmium thatcould eventually leach out andcause significant harm to ourgroundwater supplies and soilswhen landfilled. If incinerated, theresulting ash could contain heavy-

IMPORTANT FACTORS TO CONSIDER

Each American

throws away

as much as

1,000 pounds

of garbage

every year.

Thirty percent

of all

packaging

is finding its

way into our

solid waste

stream.


metal oxides and sulfates whichwould be released into our air andwhich require special and costlydisposal. The vehicle (the liquidthat holds the pigment and allowsit to be applied) most oftencontains petroleum. These types ofinks release VOCs when theyevaporate during heat-set pressprocesses. VOCs create smogwhich is a serious threat to ouratmosphere. On the other hand,soy-based inks are made from anabundant and renewable resource,do not contain petroleum andcontain significantly less VOCs (1-10% as compared to 25-40%). Soy-based inks are also easier to deinkand therefore easier to recycle.

PackagingEach American throws away as

much as 1,000 pounds of garbageevery year and at the same timethe amount of landfill space isdiminishing at a rapid rate. Thirtypercent of all packaging is findingits way into our solid wastestream. This garbage has begun toweigh heavily on localgovernments who are responsiblefor its disposal. It is essentialtherefore, that we reducepackaging not only to saveresources but also to reduce wasteand save precious landfill space.Paper products are the singlelargest component of landfills andplastics are the third largest. Mostof the packaging associated withwriting implements is plastic andcardboard.

Yet, throwing away packagingmaterials and filling up preciouslandfill space is just one aspectthat we need to be concerned with.We must also be concerned withhow these materials aremanufactured. For example, anypaper products involved maycontain inks with heavy metals.When manufactured, paperproducts may be bleached withelemental chlorine or its

derivatives and produce harmfuldioxins which are knowncarcinogens, teratogens,mutagens, and can bioaccumulateand move up through the foodchain. The making of plasticpackaging may incorporate the useof toxic additives (eg. whencoloring plastics) and hazardousprocessing chemicals. When theseare incinerated, air pollution andash disposal problems are theresults.

Therefore, when purchasingyour writing products, there areactions that you as a consumershould take when it comes topackaging. First, do not buy “over-packaged” goods or those withmulti-layers of packaging. Avoidblister packaging (with the pen,pencil or marker contained inside)whenever possible. This is the typeof packaging that has a transparentplastic bubble (made frompolyvinylchloride orpolyethyleneterephthalatewhich in alllikelihood cannotbe placed in yourcurbside bin to berecycled) which ismounted on a paperor plastic board.Choose products instead withoutany packaging at all! For example,choose pens, pencils and markerswhich are placed in a reusabledisplay without being individually

packaged. Look for items sold inbulk or larger size containers.Choose items which use minimal

amounts ofpackagingmaterial.Sometimes thisis achievedsimply bymanufacturers.They do this byreducing theweight of thepackage(termed“lightweighting”).Choosepackaging thathas beenrecycled. Lookclosely at thepackaging.Mostmanufacturerswill note on

theirpackaging ifit is recycledor if minimal

packaging is ineffect. Choosepackagingwheneverpossible thatcan be

recycled. Recycleit instead of

throwing it away!Finally, look for packaging that isprinted with safer soy inks that donot contain non-renewablepetroleum.

We must get

away from the

purchase-

consume-dispose

mentality.

We need to

choose recycled

and refillable

writing

implements.

We need to

choose

packaging that

does not create

excess waste.

TIPS ON CHOOSING PACKAGING

Avoid blister packaging (packaging that has a transparent plasticbubble made from polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene terephthalatemounted on a paper or plastic board).

Choose items which use minimal amounts of packaging material — ornone at all.

Choose packaging that has been — or can be — recycled.

Look for packaging that is printed with safer soy inks.

Recommended Printing and Writing Papers

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MANUFACTURER/SUPPLIER

BRAND RECY-CLED

RE-FILL-ABLE

NON-TOXIC

PACKAGING HOWSUPPLIED,WHERE TO

FIND

OTHER

PENS1

Amazing RecycledProducts:800-241-2174

Recycled BrassExecutive Pen

√ √ •Bulk in recycledcardboard box•Recyclable

3,5 •Up to 25% PC brass•See notes8


Recycled Maize Pen √ √ •Bulk in recycledcardboard box•Recyclable

3,5 •85% recycled-made fromagricultural waste (starch)•See notes8


Granite RecycledRetractable Pen

√ √ •Bulk in recycledcardboard box thatcan be recycled

3,5 •Made from recycledpolystyrene (50% PC50% preconsumer)•See notes8


European StyleRetractable Pen


3,5 •100% recycled-80%blended plastics, 20% ispost commercial blendedplastics•See notes8


Retractable RecycledCardboard Pen &RecycledCompressed PaperStick Pen

√ √(Card-boardPen)

•Bulk in recycledcardboard box•Recyclable

3,5 •30-80% PC cardboard orpaper (% depends onavailability of recycledfiber)•Cardboard pen hasrecycled plastic tip and capand a wood chip clip•Stick Pen does not havecap•See notes8

Recycled OfficeProducts, Inc.:800-814-1100

EarthWriter √ √ •Recycledcorrugated box-50% PC•Recyclable

3,5 •See notes8

This table contains the information that Green Seal was able toobtain from manufacturers and suppliers. It does not necessarilyrepresent all environmentally responsible products in the coveredcategories.

PC = postconsumer content

11111Although not included in our table, refillable fountain pens are anacceptable and recommended product choice. These instruments,however, tend not to be sold in bulk and are generally higher-priceditems. Look for pens that can be refilled with the use of bottled inkinstead of disposable cartridges. Seek out minimal, recycled andrecyclable packaging options.

NOTES:

2Available through retail stores.

3Available through direct sales.

4Available through promotional products dealers.

5Available in bulk &/or large numbers.

6Available packaged (smaller numbers).

7 Packaging comes with a business return sticker on it. Consumerscan place a stamp on the package & return it for reuse. They havereceived 12% of all packages back for reuse.

8Imprinitng available.



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BRAND RECY-CLED

RE-FILL-ABLE

NON-TOXIC


FIND

OTHER

PENS1

SignatureMarketing(Supplier):860-658-7172

Souvenir- RecycledRetractable, EcolRetractable, EcolStick, Ecol Stone

√ √(exceptEcolStick)

•Recyclable 3,5 •100% PC recycled paperand plastic, exceptRecycled Retractable &Ecol Stone which are 80%recycled, post industrialmanufacturing waste•See notes8


American RecycledWooden Pen


3,5 •Made from factory “cutoffs” from furnituremanufacturers, which useresponsibly forested &sustained yield wood•See notes8

Goodkind PenCompany, Inc.:207-883-1250

Woody, Screwball,Timbercrank

√ √ •100% recycledPET•Recyclable•Returnable &reusable7

2,4,5,6 •Made from sustainedyield (self-certified) wood•See notes8

Hummer NatureWorks:830-232-6167

Forest Pens,Enchanted ForestPens

√ √ √ •Recycled (100%PC) hang tag withgreen (natural)cotton string

3,5 •Hand-gathered deadwood•Pen refills are of recycledbrass•Limited production due tobeing hand-made

Atlas Pen & PencilCorp. (Supplier)800-327-3232

Holiday pens, E-ZGrip, Granite ClickPen, Elite Pen, MonteMarco Monte Primaand others

√ •Minimal 3,5 •See notes8

Full Circle PaperOutlet (Supplier):919-309-0811

Papermate Flexgripballpoint, Sagaretractable ballpoint,Micro FashionRollerball

√ •Most cardboardboxes are recycled•Recyclable•Recovered &reused

3,5,6

Pilot Corp. OfAmerica:203-377-8800

EasyTouch, Dr. Grip,BetterGrip, BetterBall Point, BetterRetractable, Fastrak

√ •Recycledpaperboard

2,5,6

SLENCIL Co.:888-753-6245

SLENCIL, Coil Pen,Cord Pen, ClipboardCoil Pen: Pentastic

√ •Bulk inrecyclable poly.bags

2,3,5 •Lifetime guarantee•Coil pens attached by acoil to a holder•See notes8

Forestsaver:800-777-9886

Twig Pen √ •Recyclablecardboard box orscrapwood box.

3,5 •Made from fallen woodgathered as a result ofclearing pastures and roadsfor the highwaydepartment.•See notes8

[CONTINUED]


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BRAND RECY-CLED

RE-FILL-ABLE

NON-TOXIC


FIND

OTHER

PENCILS


Recycled PaperPencil & Round (orRound Neon)Recycled Fiber Pencil

√ •Bulk in recycledcardboard box•Recyclable

3,5 •100% recycled,min. 50% PC•Made from recycledpaper and other recycledfiber•See notes8


Round RecycledMoney Pencil & BlueJean Pencil


3,5 •Blue Jean pencil alsoavailable in hexagon shape•Made from groundmoney or blue jeans-100%recycled, 80-90% PC•See notes8


Solid ColorWrapped, DoubleWrapped, AwesomeFoil Wrapped,Metallic Finish, ColorIntegrated, & SolidWrap and Core


3,5 •Round pencils•100% recycled, min. 50%PC•See notes8

The John RossiCompany, Inc.(Distributor):800-984-9317

Paper pencil √ •Label is madefrom recyclednewspaper• Package of 7pencils is boundw/recovered(100% PC) bicycleinner tube O-rings

3,5,6 •100% recyclednewspaper and cardboard,60% PC•Round w/ eraser•See notes8

SignatureMarketing(Supplier):860-651-8376

Denim Epcon, Greenback Epcon,Recycled Epcon

√ •Recyclable 3,5 •Made from 25% postindustrial denim, 25% PCshredded currencycurrency, or 25% postindustrial sawdust•All 93% recycled•See notes8

Atlas Pen & PencilCorp. (Supplier) :800-327-3232

Eco-writer √ •Minimal 3,5 •Made from 100%recycled newspaper &cardboard (60 % PC)•Hexagon shape•See notes8


EcoWriter Pencil √ •Most cardboardboxes are recycled•Recyclable•Recovered &reused

3,5,6 •100% recycled, 60% PCfrom cardboard andnewspapers

Sanford (EberhardFaber):800-323-0749

EcoWriter √ May be packagedin recyclablecardboard box

2,4,5,6 •Made from 100% recyclednewspaper and cardboard(60% PC)



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BRAND RECY-CLED

RE-FILL-ABLE

NON-TOXIC


FIND

OTHER

PENCILS

Sanford(Berol):800-323-0749

Eagle Recycled √ •Packaging is100% recycledcardboard, whichcan be recycled

2,5,6 •Barrel is 100% recycledmaterial from school lunchtrays (PC) and reclaimedwood fibers from frameand door manufacturers•Ferrule is 100% PCrecycled aluminum•Surface is unpainted anduncoated to avoid harmfulsolvents and chemicals

Sanford(Berol)800-323-0749

Eagle Jeans Pencils √ May be packagedin recyclablecardboard box

2,5,6 •Pencil is made fromreclaimed denim-100%recycled, 25% pre-industrial

Sanford(Berol)800-323-0749

Eagle Greenbacks √ May be packagedin recyclablecardboard box

2,5,6 •Pencil is made from papercurrency (100% recycled,25% PC)

Atlas Pen & PencilCorp. (Supplier) :800-327-3232

Mechanical pencils& E-Z GripMechanical Pencils

√ •Minimal 3,5 •See notes8

Pentel of America:800-421-1419

Forte, Sharp, Econo-Sharp, Sliding SleeveSharp, Sharplet-2,Quicker Clicker,Twist-Erase I & II

√ •Recycled,recyclable

2,5,6 •Lifetime warranty•0.5 mm Premium Hi-Polymer refill lead alsopackaged in a recycled,recyclable paper tube•Manufacturer claims eachlead will last as long as a#2 pencil

Pilot Corp. OfAmerica:203-377-8800

Dr. Grip, RefillablePencil #2

√ •Made fromrecycledpaperboard

2,5

Staedtler:800-776-5544

Marsmicro,Marstechno, MarsMicrograph, Retro

√ √ •Recyclablecardboard boxes

2,4,5,6 •Manufacturer claims noVOCs are released in themanufacturing process ofthe pencil leads (Germanmanufacturer)

Dixon TiconderogaCo.:800-824-9430

EnviroStik √ •Made fromrecycledpaperboard•Recyclable

2,5,6 •Made from sustainedyield wood•Lacquer free finish &biodegradable imprint

Forestsaver:800-777-9886

Twig Pencil √ •Recyclablecardboard box orscrapwood box

3,5 •Made from fallen woodgathered as a result ofclearing pastures and roadsfor the highway department•See notes8

Hummer NatureWorks:830-232-6167

Forest Pencil,Enchanted ForestPencil, Forest ColorPencil, Giant ForestPencil, Fairy Pencil,Living Forest Pencil:

•Recycled (100%PC) hang tag withgreen (natural)cotton string

3,5 •Hand-gathereddeadwood•Manufacturer claimsLiving Forest pencil supportall kinds of moss and lichen•Limited production due tobeing hand-made

[CONTINUED]


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BRAND RECY-CLED

RE-FILL-ABLE

NON-TOXIC


FIND

OTHER

PENCILS

Peavian Logic, Inc.:808-985-8861

Penikala &KiddieKala

√ •Mimimalpackaging. Setsare bundledw/rubber band &raffia tie. Tagsprinted on recycledpaper w/soy inks.

3,5 •Uses hand-collected twigsand branches from themyrica faya tree-an exoticspecies that threatens nativeHawaiian rain forests & rare& exotic species that livethere.•Portion of sales donatedto conservationorganizations and/orprograms•Pencil sets

Sanford (EberhardFaber):800-323-0749

American Naturals May be packagedin recyclablecardboard box

2,5,6 •Made from sustained-yield wood (non-rainforest)

[CONTINUED]

MARKERS


Stabilo BossHighlighter

√ √ •Most cardboardboxes are recycled•Recyclable•Recovered &reused

3,5,6

Pentel of America:800-421-1419

Snappers √ √ •Recyclable 2,5,6 •Lifetime guarantee•Non-toxic, water-based,pigment ink product

Sanford:800-323-0749

Enviromark √ √ •Card made fromrecycled paper,blister made fromrecycled plastic

2,5,6 •Ink contains soluble foodgrade dyes•Barrel made frompreconsumer recycledplastic molds

CRAYONS

DixonTiconderoga Co.:800-824-9430

Prang Crayon √ 2,6 •Made from soybeans(a renewable resource)•Biodegradable•Natural, smooth,non-flaking


Crazy Crayons √ √ Available in are-usable plasticbag

3,5 •Molded into a designs &have 2 colors per crayon•100%-Special blend ofrecycled crayons•See notes8


GETTING MORE OUT OF YOUR CHOOSE GREEN REPORTWe at Green Seal want to remind everyone that the purchasing of environmentally responsible products plays avery important role in pollution prevention! You can multiply your efforts to protect the environment by circulatingyour Choose Green Report within your organization.

May we suggest you share your Report by:

Sending it to others in your company when you have finished reading it.

Placing important information from the report on your internal web sites.

Sending it to your purchasing department.

Sending it to management. Let them know about your efforts to buy environmentally responsibleproducts and thus help save the environment.

A CALL FOR SUCCESS STORIES!Tell us how you are getting the most out of being an Environmental Partner! Let us know how successful yourendeavors are and how you are applying the information you receive from your reports!

Write us at Green Seal, 1400 Sixteenth Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036 — or email us [email protected] — or call us at 202-588-8400. We look forward to hearing from you!

SUPPORTING GREEN SEALGreen Seal is an independent, nonprofit organization that encourages the purchase of

environmentally responsible products and services. It awards its Green Seal Mark to products that causesignificantly less harm to the environment than similar products.

Green Seal is funded primarily through the generous support of grants provided from varioussources, including government programs, foundations and individuals. Fees resulting from productcertification are also comprising a growing amount of this funding.

Your support, too, is needed and appreciated! You can support Green Seal and its efforts by buyingGreen Seal certified products, encouraging businesses to consider the environment in their dailyoperations and by making a contribution. Your donation will help Green Seal tocontinue to provide current, useful advice on greener, responsible products.Contributions, either directly or through your workplace giving campaign,are vital to our continued success!

1400 SIXTEENTH STREET, NWSUITE 300WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036-2215

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I N T H I S I S S U E

— Overview of pencils, pens,crayons and markers

— Plastics

— Inks

— Packaging

— Recommended WritingInstruments

Look for these topics in our next issueon Selected Tissue Products . . .

■ Recycled Content

■ Bleaching

■ Deinking

■ Packaging & Source Reduction

■ Recommended Products

writing instruments - greenbiz · 2019-12-18 · pens that were not as temperamental as the...

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