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Ever paused to think about the pen in your hand? Yeah, that one, sitting innocently on your desk or in your bag. Seems harmless enough, right? Just a simple tool to jot down notes, sign documents, or doodle during a boring meeting. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: that tiny, everyday object is part of a massive environmental problem. And we're here to tell you why it needs to change.

The Silent Culprit: Pens and Plastic Pollution

Let’s start with a staggering statistic: 50 billion plastic pens are thrown away every year. That’s enough to circle the Earth… 200 times! Now, consider that 95% of a typical pen is made of non-recyclable plastic. And guess what? That plastic will sit in a landfill for hundreds of years, all for the sake of holding ink and a writing tip together. The actual part of the pen that does the writing—the tip and the ink—makes up just 5% of the pen's body. The rest? Waste. Pure and simple.

Since the ballpoint pen was invented in the 1940s, the industry has been on autopilot, churning out more and more plastic, with no regard for the planet. That first plastic pen? It’s still out there somewhere, and so are the billions that followed. And it will stay there for centuries.

Enter the Plastic-Free Pen: Rethinking What a Pen Can Be

At NOTE, we asked a simple question: Can we make a pen without plastic? The answer was a resounding yes. And not just a yes, but a whole-hearted, eco-friendly, why-haven’t-we-done-this-before kind of yes.

Our approach was to strip the pen down to its essentials: a tip, some ink, and a grip. Everything else? Unnecessary. The breakthrough came when we realized that we could use paper—a material both ancient and innovative at the same time. By tightly rolling recycled paper, we created a durable, entirely biodegradable pen casing.

But we didn’t stop there. We engineered a way to increase the ink capacity, meaning our pens last longer, and perform better, than traditional plastic ones. It’s a perfect example of how sustainability can go hand-in-hand with superior performance.

Why It Matters: The Bigger Picture

You might be thinking, “It’s just a pen, does it really make a difference?” The answer is an emphatic yes. Pens are more than just writing instruments. They are symbols of how we design and consume products—often with little regard for the long-term consequences.

By choosing a plastic-free pen, you’re not just making a sustainable choice; you’re sending a message that you care about the planet. And it’s not just about this one pen—it’s about changing the way we think about all products. If we can make something as ubiquitous as a pen sustainable, what else can we redesign?

Our Commitment: No Offence to Earth™

At NOTE, we’ve made a pledge: No Offence to Earth™. This means that everything we create is designed to be kind to the planet. Our pens are just the beginning. We’re on a mission to eliminate plastic from the entire stationery industry—and beyond.

Our innovation doesn’t stop with pens. We envision a world where every product is designed with the planet in mind, where sustainability is the norm, not the exception. And we’re working tirelessly to make this a reality.

So next time you pick up a pen, think about where it’s come from, and where it will end up. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll choose a NOTE pen instead—because even the smallest choices can have a big impact on our planet.

Join us on our journey to create a world where plastic pens are a thing of the past, and where sustainable choices are just a normal part of life. Because when it comes to the future of our planet, every little bit counts.