Top 5 Eco Friendly Promotional Pens
Updated: Nov 6, 2024

Introduction To Sustainable Promotional Pens
When you think promotional pens, it’s easy to just go with the plastic ones. If your company cares about sustainability then there are many options for eco-friendly promotional pens. The latest new eco pens have come down in price and are now budget-friendly. Eco-friendly promotional materials have gotten more affordable in recent years due to increased demand. Giving out an environmentally friendly pen impresses people who care about sustainability. What better way could there be than by offering something sustainable in your marketing mix? In this post we review the top 5 eco-friendly promotional pens.
How to Choose the Right Eco-Friendly Promotional Pen for Your Brand
Selecting the right eco-friendly promotional pen for your brand involves more than just picking a green option. It's about aligning the product with your brand values and marketing goals. Here's how you can make the best choice:
First, consider your brand image. If you're a tech company, you might want a sleek, modern design made from recycled materials. For a nature-focused brand, a pen made from bamboo or other natural materials might be more appropriate.
Next, think about your target audience. What would they appreciate? Younger, environmentally conscious consumers might value pens made from innovative materials like ocean plastics. Corporate clients might prefer a more professional look with subtle recycled and eco-friendly features.
Don't forget about functionality. The pen should write well and be comfortable to use. A pen that doesn't function properly, regardless of how eco-friendly it is, won't reflect well on your brand.
Consider the lifecycle of the pen. Refillable pens are a great option as they extend the product's life and reduce waste. Some eco-pens are also designed to be plantable after use, which can be a unique selling point.
Look into the manufacturing process. Some companies offer pens made in facilities powered by renewable energy or with water-saving technologies. This adds another layer of sustainability to your choice.
Lastly, think about how you'll communicate the eco-friendly aspects of the pen. Will it come with information about its environmental benefits? Can you incorporate this into your broader marketing strategy?
Remember, the goal is to choose a pen that not only minimises environmental impact but also effectively promotes your brand and resonates with your audience.
Top 5 Eco Friendly
Pens.
1. Prodir QS40 True Biotic Promotional Pen
True Biotic. Created by nature for nature.
This Prodir pen is manufactured using a truly biodegradable material and in Switzerland, so they have created a truly sustainable branded promotional pen.
Prodir make the QS40 from organic biopolyers.
Biopolymers are the basic building blocks of living organisms and the revolutionary raw material with which Prodir is producing the pen casing for the all-new QS40 True Biotic.
With Prodir now using biobased, biodegradable and non-toxic biopolymers (PHAs), so they are now setting new sustainability benchmarks. Microorganisms generate pHAs by natural processes such as biosynthesis but they can also fully degrade without residues.
Biobased and renewable raw material
Rapidly biodegradable in soil, sea and fresh water
Compostable at home
Fast and closed carbon cycle
No use of agricultural land
2. Senator Challenger Recycled Pen
The Senator Eco Challenger pen is made from recycled plastic and manufactured in a factory in Germany that works from reusable energy. So this gives the Challenger pen great eco friendly credentials.
Push ball pen
Matt Recycled
Equipped with a premium “Magic Flow” long capacity G2 (1.0 mm) refill giving a writing length of 5000m, in blue or black ink
3. BIC® Media Clic BIO ballpen
The Bic Clic pen is one of the best selling pens in the promotional market and now comes in an eco-friendly BIO version.
BIODEGRADABLE PEN: The barrel and clip are 100% biodegradable.
BIO BASED MATERIAL: Bic make the barrel with 70% BIO based material. The colourants are 100% BIO based. The material is a sustainable (BIO Polyester with Sugar. How sweet is that?
Bic manufacture these pens in Spain.
4. Prodir Regeneration Promotional Pen
Regeneration Pens are 100% recycled.
Prodir offer three of their classic DS models as Regeneration Pens. In the same design and same level of quality but with casings made of their own 100% recycled waste. You can recognise them by their discreetly placed international recycling symbol. They equip all Regeneration Pens with standard with low-pollutant Floating Ball® refills. They are also available with antimicrobial surface protection.
Prodir manufacture these pens in Switzerland and a very eco-friendly pen choice.
5. Uma Promotional Paper Pen

A push button ballpoint pen made of recycled, natural-colored cardboard and a wooden clip.
Uma manufacture these pens in Germany and they are fully sustainable.
Commonly Asked Question on Promotional Pens
How effective are branded promotional pens to your marketing?
Promotional branded pens are a great way to make an impact with potential customers. The first thing they see when they look at your marketing collateral is the pen, so that’s why it should be memorable. Promotional pens serve as advertising because you’re introducing people to your company for the first time by giving them something tangible. So take into consideration what message you want this object itself to convey about your business. If, it’s not memorable or eye-catching then what does that say about other parts of your business?
Choosing promotional pens that are made from quality materials and also eco-friendly says a lot about who you are as a company!
How to decide what eco-friendly promotional pens you should choose?
There is a lot of greenwashing with eco-friendly promotional pens. There has been a lot of interest in pens made from used coffee grinds, wheat or rice husks. However, these pens are bound with ABS plastic which is not biodegradable. So you end up with a pen that not only does not degrade but also cannot be recycled. You cannot recycle mixed materials.
The most sustainable pens are those made from recycled plastic or paper and we show you the top 5 eco-friendly promotional pens options further below.
Do branded eco-friendly promotional pens make a perfect giveaway item for events, trade shows, and conferences?
If you want to promote your brand, there’s no better way to get exposure than by giving away branded pens. Pens are a common giveaway item for conferences, trade shows, and events. You can use them as an advertisement while also being something people will use regularly. They are also low cost, transportable, come in bright eye-catching colours and branded in many different places.
What is the ROI on eco-friendly promotional pens?
The pen is the most practical promotional item to give out. Even with our increased use of tablets and phones, taking notes in notebooks is still by far the most popular form of note-taking.
With pens used regularly at work and at home, their low cost offers an attractive ROI.
What role can eco-friendly products, such as branded eco pens, play in demonstrating corporate social responsibility?
Eco-friendly products, like branded eco pens made from sustainable materials, can demonstrate a brand's commitment to CSR and show customers that the company is actively contributing to environmental sustainability efforts.
Why is it important for brands to play their part in helping the planet?
It is important for brands to play their part in helping the planet to address pressing environmental concerns and showcase their commitment to corporate social responsibility.
How can brands show that they are taking corporate social responsibility seriously?
Brands can show that they are taking corporate social responsibility seriously by choosing eco-friendly options and demonstrating a commitment to sustainability efforts.
Is now a good time for businesses to start demonstrating corporate social responsibility in light of pressing environmental concerns?
Yes, with environmental concerns never more pressing, there's no time like the present to start demonstrating to customers that your brand is taking its corporate social responsibility seriously.
Can businesses choose promotional eco pens made from materials like bamboo or wheat straw?
Yes, businesses can choose promotional eco pens made from materials like bamboo or wheat straw.
Are there eco qualities that these pens possess, such as being recyclable or compostable?
Yes, eco promotional pens can have specific eco qualities such as being recyclable or compostable.
What are some specific sustainable materials used to make eco-promotional pens?
Sustainable materials used to make eco-promotional pens include bamboo and wheat straw.
The Future of Eco-Friendly Promotional Pens
The future of eco-friendly promotional pens is exciting and full of innovation. As sustainability becomes increasingly important to consumers and businesses alike, we're seeing rapid advancements in this field.
One trend I'm watching closely is the development of new, more sustainable materials. Scientists are exploring materials like algae-based plastics, which could potentially be carbon-negative. There's also research into using agricultural waste products to create pen bodies, turning what would be trash into a useful product.
Another area of innovation is in ink technology. We're likely to see more plant-based inks that are non-toxic and biodegradable. Some companies are even working on ink that disappears over time, allowing the paper to be reused.
Smart technology is also making its way into eco-friendly pens. Imagine a pen that tracks how much you've written and calculates the carbon offset. Or pens with built-in sensors that can digitise your handwriting, reducing the need for paper.
Customisation will likely play a bigger role in the future. 3D printing technology could allow for on-demand production of promotional pens, reducing waste from overproduction and allowing for more personalised designs.
The concept of circular economy will probably influence future pen designs. We might see more pens designed to be easily disassembled and recycled, or programs where companies take back used pens to refurbish or recycle them.
Lastly, I believe we'll see a shift towards pens that have a purpose beyond writing. This could include pens made from materials that clean the air as they degrade, or pens designed to be planted after use to grow flowers or trees.
The future of eco-friendly promotional pens is about more than just reducing environmental impact. It's about reimagining what a pen can be and how it can contribute positively to our world.
My Thoughts On Eco Friendly Promotional Pens
Promotional pens are a cost-effective and practical way to promote your business. You can choose from many different styles of promotional pens. These include the popular retractable ballpoint pen or more sophisticated options such as rollerball pens.
With eco-friendly promotional pens you need to be careful about what materials they have used in manufacturing, as well as where they were produced. The best option for an eco-friendly choice is a recycled plastic pen and manufactured in Europe rather than China. But beware that greenwashed mixed material pens may not live up to their eco promises! We also recommend buying a quantity which suits your needs so that none end up gathering dust in stationary cupboards.
Please DM on LinkedIn or email me at douglas@pinksheep.co.uk for further information
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