PPB August 2021

1.6 billion empty pens each year. Other writing utensils, like mechanic pencils and markers, are also made with these plastics, adding to the trash occupying space in landfills. Responsibly recycling pens, mechanical pencils, markers and other writing utensils takes effort. Pen manufacturers like Sharpie and Paper Mate are sponsoring programs to help consumers return all their used products, while others are offering greener alternatives; an appeal that may be especially impactful for environmental clients and companies supporting related causes. Sales Manager Raffaele Laurenti of supplier Pagani Pens says, “Sustainable pens are the real and strong trend of the moment.” German supplier UMA Pen has one of the first truly sustainable lines of writing instruments in the industry. Managing Director Alexander Ullmann says, “First of all, we know that you will be not able to have production without any release of carbon dioxide. But it is up to everybody to reduce the carbon dioxide release to a minimum and use every possible opportunity or technology to achieve carbon neutral production.” Carbon-neutral companies or products balance out the carbon emissions caused by them by funding an equivalent amount of carbon savings elsewhere in the world. “By using green electricity, using wood chips instead oil for heating, reducing the water consumption for daily production, we could reduce our carbon release down to 30 percent in two years while having the same output on products,” Add a little luxury to your next campaign with the LuxGel . With this plastic push retractable pen, clients can choose from four rich, metallic colors. This smooth-writing ballpoint pen has a sculpted grip for writing comfort, while black anti-fraud gel ink helps ensure that all hand- written communications and signatures are made “smoothly” and securely. Hub Pen Company / PPAI 110772, S11 www.hubpen.com Writing Products Get two for one with the Neptune Pen with Highlighter . This ballpoint pen with black ink is twist action. There is a rubber grip for writing with comfort and control and a chiseled tip highlighter. With a silver barrel, choose either a blue, green, pink, orange or yellow highlighter. Hit Promotional Products / PPAI 113910, S13 www.hitpromo.net Fun and useful, this Moptopper with a stethoscope-shaped clip is a perfect promotion for health-care workers. With a pen, a soft-silicone stylus and a microfiber screen cleaner, this smiling pen head frees up space in pockets or drawers—and stands as another “friendly face” to welcome patients to their visit. alphabroder / PPAI 156993, S16 www.alphabroder.com | AUGUST 2021 | 53 GROW