Single-use plastics have come under intense scrutiny in recent years due to their significant environmental impact. Governments and large corporations have taken measures to restrict the use of disposable items such as straws, bags, bottles, and cups, reflecting the growing concern surrounding single-use plastics. When reviewing our industries environmental practices, we found parallels between single-use branded pens and plastic straws so launched this campaign six months ago.

The scale of the pen problem continues to be a pressing issue, with approximately 15 million plastic ballpoint pens being purchased worldwide every day. Recycling these pens is challenging due to their composition of plastic and metal elements. Consequently, a large number of pens still find their way into landfills, contributing to the growing problem of environmental pollution.

We know marketing and communications departments can be big culprits in the producing of single use branded pens, often relying on these cheap and easy giveaways for events, launches, exhibitions or campaigns, so we’ve decided to lead the charge in making a positive change. There are more sustainable alternatives readily available, including:

• Biodegradable pencils made from responsibly sourced and recycled paper.
• Seed pencils that contain water-soluble seed capsules, allowing users to plant them and promote eco-friendly messages.
• Compostable pens crafted from materials like cork and wheat straw, which are free from plastic and degrade naturally.
• Refillable pens that can be reused multiple times, minimizing waste.

To ensure the effectiveness of these alternatives, it is essential to provide clear instructions on how to recycle or dispose of them properly, preventing them from ending up in landfills inadvertently.

Leading the charge for positive change

Here are immediate steps that we believe every marketing and communications professional can take when it comes to branded pens:

• Develop long-term branding strategies: When designing promotional items, consider the longevity of the branding. Avoid using elements like specific dates, fleeting celebrations, event names, or short-term campaign straplines that may render the items obsolete quickly. Instead, focus on more timeless logos and permanent straplines to extend the lifespan of all promotional materials.
• Efficient stock and returns management: Implement a robust returns system to collect unused marketing materials and giveaways from events. Encourage colleagues to gather these items rather than discarding them. Regularly review your stock to avoid unnecessary wastage and reduce the quantity of items sent to events based on the returns received. Breaking the habit of providing an excessive number of giveaways can help mitigate waste.
• Responsible recycling practices: If you find yourself with unwanted pens, consider reaching out to local charities, schools, or community centres to inquire if they require useable stationery. If you are a client of ours, then we have established relationships with various schools and charities that can provide a home for unused pens. However if the pens are no longer working, then investigate responsible recycling options to divert them from landfills. Retailers like Ryman offer pen recycling services, repurposing collected pens into garden furniture.
• Embrace creativity: Instead of relying on single-use items, think outside the box and get creative with your giveaways. By offering innovative and sustainable alternatives, you can capture people’s attention, encourage conversations, and leave a lasting positive impression.

Considering the concept of marginal gains, making incremental improvements in reducing reliance on single use branded pens can have a substantial impact. Therefore, it is crucial for businesses to actively pursue sustainable alternatives and implement changes within their own operations. We will continue to refuse to provide our clients with non-refillable, single use plastic ballpoint pens and instead, we’ll be offering more sustainable alternatives. Get in touch if you’d like to find out more about these.