Each year, Bic alone produces 8.76 billion stationary items. That's billions of empty pens, markers, mechanical pencils and more from hundreds of different companies ending up in landfills. Even though your average pen has the ability to write up to a few hundred feet, that's only about 6207 signatures, 5114 phone numbers, 971 Christmas cards, or 169 letters (University of Reading). Once a pen runs out of ink, it will last in a landfill for thousands of years.
The good news is, there's something we can do about it! There are programs available for recycling empty pens and the like. TerraCycle is a company that provides hundreds of ways to recycle products that you may not be able to at home. They have a Writing Instrument Brigade where once you have collected enough old markers, pens, sharpies, caps, highlighters, and empty white out bottles, you can mail them to the TerraCycle program (using their pre-paid labels!). Once TerraCycle receives them, the writing instruments are separated by material composition then melted down into hard plastic that can be remolded into new plastic products. My university, Western Colorado University, happens to have a drop off bin and mails them off to get recycled. Many universities partner with the TerraCycle program or have their own pen recycling program so take a look!
TerraCycle is just one of MANY ways to recycle those pesky plastic pens! Another option is Pen Guy Art! Costas Schuler is an artist in California that collects old writing supplies to make art out of. His current goal is to collect a million pens to cover his 1981 "Mercedes-pens" car. Check out his website for the mailing address to send your used writing utensils to.
There are a few other recycling programs like ColorCycle by Crayola and a take-back program by Dixon Ticonderoga so check them all out and find out which program works best for you! However, one of the BEST ways to help this plastic problem is by reducing the amount of pens you have to discard! Make that shopping list in the notes section on your phone, try sending an email before you write a postcard, pay with credit card instead of writing a check, and little other actions like this throughout your day can make a difference.
Another great option is pens made out of alternative materials! Bic has a whole line of greener pens including ones made out of up to 65% recycled materials and refillable pens. Other companies offer products made of compostable items like cardboard and bamboo, be sure to look next time you're at your favorite office supply store.
Thanks for reading and if you have any other tips for recycling unusual products, shoot us an email or DM us on instagram! (@gunnigirlsgogreen)
XX Erin