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What you use to write is as important as what you are writing. From recycled materials to those that biodegrade, environmentally friendly pens and pencils get top marks!
Corny pens
Forget plastic: make your mark with biodegradable pens made from corn starch! Available from Grassroots, these pens are made a material called Mater-Bi. They look and feel just like the plastic disposable kind, only they will disintegrate within twelve months of being dumped in a landfill.
Woody and wheely
Pens made from recycled wood are another great earth friendly option. Try the Woody Pens available from Green Earth Office Supply. These refillable pens are made from sustained yield scrap wood, brass and black oxide steel and the non-toxic ink comes in long-lasting, refillable brass cartridges. The ultra-cool Wheely Pens are made from 50 percent post-consumer rubber tires and 10 percent pre-consumer recycled plastic. They’re also refillable.
Ball point green
The Pilot line of BegreeN writing instruments -- including ballpoint, gel and rollerball pens, mechanical pencils, hi-lighters and markers -- are made from at least 65 pecent recycled material, most of it recycled plastic. The ball point pens can be refilled and there are lots of groovy ink colours to choose from.
Non toxic brilliance
Highlight your work with some non-toxic markers made of 50 percent post-consumer materials from the Green Home Environmental Store. Sets come in Flatstyle or Penstyle markers in nice bright colours. They also offer permanent markers as well.
Permanent writings
Good quality, re-fillable fountain pens are another effective way to avoid buying disposable pens. Though they may be a little more expensive at the outset, one refillable pen can keep you writing in style for years.
Get the lead out
When it comes to pencils, stick to the ones made from recycled wood. The Earth-friendly pencil is made from recycled newspaper while the Triggerwood mechanical pencil is made from recycled woodscraps from an FSC certified, sustainable forest. Both are available from The Green Office. You’ll be able to use it for years by refilling it and when you do need to throw it away, it will biodegrade!
The new Prang Sensematic automatic pencil from Dixon senses when you need more lead and automatically advances just the right amount of lead. No clicking, twisting and sharpening or wasting lead.
And don’t forget that whatever it is that you choose to write down, make sure you’re doing it on 100% post-consumer waste paper!
Meredith Dault is a freelance journalist and broadcaster in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
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