Wow. I didn’t know how to spell “ain’t”. Weird.
I was looking for a pen last night. Not a particular pen, just a pen that would produce a visible line upon paper when applied with normal pressure. You would think that wouldn’t be too hard, I beg to differ. As I was searching my pen cup (which was purchased in 1992 via catalog with my first ever debit card, wow!) I realized that it might be time to go through these pens and get rid of the ones that no longer work. I mean, do I really need a pen from every company I have ever worked for, truly need them? Is there a pen dedication website where I can just upload their photos to and forget about keeping the pen? Sort of like PostSecret for pens?
Anyway, a resounding five pens actually worked. One of those pens is a Cross pen that was my grandfathers. It’s silver, and badly tarnished. It’s got to be at least 60 years old. How is that pen still producing ink?
Seven items in the pen cup were markers or highlighters. Only two of them were still functioning. That left about 12 or 13 pens that were in need of a final resting place. How does an environmentally aware person throw out a pen? Clearly, markers are not recyclable. At least markers purchased in the last century. ;o)
So I asked my friend Google for some help. Found out that the best thing to do is take apart the pens. The ink tube is going into regular trash. The little metal spring goes in the fancy blue bucket. Along with the plastic of the Bic style of pen. I spent a few minutes separating my pens and sorting them appropriately.
How come the pens wouldn’t write but I’m still removing ink from underneath my fingernails?
And here’s the real reason for today’s post. When purchasing pens, pencils and paper, please think of the environment. Purchase pencils like the Paper Mate EarthWrite pencil. It is made from 100% pre-consumer waste materials and from re-claimed wood. You can get those at your local office superstore.
Oxymoronic paragraph, I know.
As for pens, there are many out there made from varying levels of recycled materials. One that you’ll recognize upon seeing it has a paper barrel. This one is great. Try to find one with soy ink as well.
So, go through your pen cup. Figure out what works and what doesn’t. Let me know if you come up with any interesting ways to reuse the pen innards.
Funny, I have seen so many ideas lately for using old pens. Granted, some are a bit silly but still very creative. 🙂
Very neat ideas. Of course, I’d go a little OCD on them. None of my pens actually matched. I’d have to find matchy matchy old pens or enough non-matchy to make some kind of pattern. :o)