A pencil is typically thought of as a tool for writing and drawing. We generally don't give any thought to the design of pencils or their lifespan. However, a simple pencil made of wood, graphite, and clay can make a significant difference in how we live and how the environment is treated. We are referring to the plantable seed pencil, which helps maintain the ecological balance of the planet while serving the traditional purpose of writing.

What are Plantable Pencils?

These pencils are created innovatively in order to preserve the environment. Because of their unique "plantable" features, they are called "seed pencils" or "sprout pencils." Plant seeds are embedded in these pencils. When it is used up, the pencil stub with the seeds is wrapped in recycled material, usually paper, and planted in the earth. These seeds will grow into herbs, plants, and trees that serve to enrich nature.

The concept behind this original invention is that by upgrading a pencil, you can give it a second life as a plant that will help sustain rather than deplete the environment.

How are Plantable Pencils Made?

Softwood harvested from plants is typically used to make traditional pencils. If pencils are produced from genuine unprocessed wood, they can be reused to some extent. The pencil stick is often composed of sturdy, insect-resistant wood in wooden pencils.

Despite using intensive processing to prevent the wood from decomposing too quickly, these sticks are biodegradable. However, this does not constitute an effort to protect the environment. In order to make 2 billion traditional wooden pencils, 82,000 trees are being cut down annually, yielding approximately 170,000 pencils from each tree. This impacts the world’s forest cover negatively.

Plantable seed pencils are a viable alternative that can reduce “micro” waste, encourage recycling, and promote planting activities.

Most eco-friendly pencils are made entirely of wood or without any polymers. Instead of virgin wood and biodegradable materials, they utilise recycled paper, which is more environmentally beneficial. Plantable pencils are produced from newspapers or other environmentally friendly materials. They are biodegradable and contribute to environmental protection by preventing deforestation.

How to Use the Seed Pencils?

Seed pencils are available with a variety of high-quality plant seeds. Useful plants like marigold, tomato, basil, pepper, okra, coriander, beans, fenugreek, sunflower, and spinach can be planted at the home, office or school premises.

After the pencil lead is exhausted, the seed capsules enclosed in the stub can be planted and grown into plants (a mixture of flowers, herbs and vegetables). As graphite is a rich source of carbon, pencil shavings can be used as compost.

Follow these 3 simple steps:

• Step 1: Use a seed pencil to write/draw
• Step 2: Plant the remaining stub in the soil
• Step 3: Place the pot in sunlight and water the planted seed pencil

The seed will germinate in 7-12 days. Children will gain from the fruits or vegetables the plants produce in addition to learning about their function in preserving health. It will also foster positive behaviour in them while making them environmentally aware.

Seed Pencils – The Perfect Gift

Plantable pencils are an ideal gift for children. They can encourage children to engage in gardening activities while learning about healthy eating and becoming environmentally aware.

• It teaches children how to plant and grow seeds
• It helps them learn about their environment
• It inculcates positive behaviour in them
• It encourages them to eat healthy food

Apart from students, a set of plantable pencils makes a wonderful present for anyone who wants to make a positive impact on the environment. Children also learn about seeds, germination, plant growth and upcycling.

Plantable Pencils and Environment

Green living and sustainability are important issues in the world today. The amount of wood used to make pencils is extremely high. Thus, switching to seed pencils can reduce these numbers, and their environmental impact, considerably.

Today, companies choose green promotional gifts to cater to the growing tribe of eco-conscious customers. The seed pencil is an attractive and inexpensive eco-friendly option that can be used by both adults and children.