The Environmental Impact of a Pencil

The group ForestEthics has published a report card showing which pencil-makers have the best and worst environmental records.

Yes, pencils have an environmental impact.

Several companies, according to ForestEthics, clear cut forests in California's Sierra Nevada to get wood for those pencils. Others use sustainable forest practices. The report card scores companies based on how much recycled content goes into their pencils, how much of the original lumber is certified sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council, and whether or not they purchase wood from Sierra Pacific Industries, a company that ForestEthics has singled out in its Save the Sierra campaign for its allegedly unsustainable practices.

Pencil Environmental Report Card

ForestChoice: A
Greenline Paper Company: A
Green Apple: C
Paper Mate: C
Dixon/Ticonderoga: F
USA Gold: F

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