Plastic Pens: Stop Literary Littering

Posted on May 28, 2020

Stop Literary Littering: All Your Fountain Pen Objections Addressed by Anoopa Ballal

William Penn is committed to combating literary littering. We all know the health risks associated with being surrounded by plastic waste but it is difficult to stop using disposable, plastic pens. To help make this switch to more sustainable writing instruments easier, we’ve identified the some of the major objections and solutions: “Disposable is inexpensive.” This is the most popular reason people choose disposable, plastic pens. From a purely economic standpoint, admittedly, disposable pens make sense. But so is grabbing a plastic bag from a vendor instead of carrying your own cloth bag. So is accepting a plastic straw when you drink tender-coconut water. So really, it’s a matter of convenience more than economy. And given the state of the planet, should we do what’s convenient or what’s right? “I keep losing my pen.” “May I borrow your pen?” This is an interestingly phrased question because ‘borrow’ implies an eventual return. In most cases “May I keep your pen?” is probably a more accurate descriptor of a borrower’s intentions, not because they consciously wish to usurp it, but because it’s easy to take a plastic pen casually. Even if you ask for it to be returned, you can come across as petty. Also, it is very hard to identify your pen – it looks the same as any other. And people are more careless with cheap things. A high-quality, sustainable pen, personalised with your name or initials, however, is a completely different matter. Both you and the borrower are sure to treat it with more care, because it means something to you, and there’s none other exactly like it. And what’s more, you’re doing the planet, and therefore yourself, a favour by not creating plastic waste. “I like colourful pens.” A professional environment might limit your choice of ink but you can add a splash of colour to your day with a vibrantly-coloured pen. Some fountain pens are true works-of-art and come in a range of colours. We love the Montblanc Heritage et Noir fountain pen, and the Cross Bailey Light Fountain pen. “Fountain pens also use disposable cartridges. What is the point?” Ideally, you want to choose a fountain pen with an inbuilt filling-system. These pens eliminate the need for disposable cartridges and are less messy than pens that need to be filled with an eyedropper. If you already have a fountain pen that uses cartridges, consider buying a piston-converter. In addition to cutting down on the waste, your pen will have a larger ink-capacity, and access to the wide range of colours only available in ink bottles. Many converters are brand-specific. So make sure the one you buy is compatible with the pen you have. You can also refill your cartridge using a syringe. “I hear what you are saying, but I prefer ballpoints for convenience.” Disposable pens are usually synonymous with ballpoints because they don’t dry out or leak. They are easy to use, and require minimal care. If you cannot part with the advantages of a ballpoint pen, opt for robustly constructed metal ballpoint pens with long-lasting refills. “I keep losing my pens.” At the very least, we can prevent plastic waste by keeping track of our plastic pens. The pocket-sized Sheaffer Ion ballpoint has a nifty portable cap. Simply slip the attached loop onto your keychain, backpack, or lanyard to keep track of your pen.