What pencil do you use- a mechanical pencil or a wooden pencil? The real question is. is your pencil sustainable? it is a tradition to use wooden pencils.  Wooden pencils are supposed to be used for state tests, school work and during daily routine use. But what if I tell you that wooden pencils are a waste of resources.

Did you know that about 30,000 trees are cut every year to manufacture wood case pencils? There’s more,…the shavings that the pencils produce end up in the garbage. Most garbage is transported and dumped in the oceans and landfills where birds, fishes and animals consume these unhealthy materials.

As a student we use an electric pencil sharpener.   The job is messy and time consuming.  The shavings shed everywhere and absorbs moisture from your skin.

Let’s consider using mechanical pencils because they are the most sustainable and cost effective option.  Mechanical pencils have a much longer life compared to wood case because they are reusable. One mechanical pencil plus 100 graphite leads replacements is equivalent to  100 wood case hundred pencils. What if I tell you that this option is so much cheaper than using wood case pencils?  Yes, it is 50%  cheaper! Just remember to recycle the mechanical pencil once it is no longer usable.

I hope you thought about your pencils more than what you may have thus far. It is just a pencil but it contributes a lot more to your sustainable living. Let’s write better!