Environmental: Responsibility for our environment
A responsible and forward-looking approach to natural resources shapes the way we operate.
Efficiency plays a key role in this, particularly in production and logistics. We are working to reduce our use of resources through appropriate measures.
The focus is on our manufacturing processes, the selection of materials, and the procurement and transport of raw materials.
On this basis, measures throughout the value chain help to minimise environmental impacts.
Material innovation
Made from Upcypled Wood
Thanks to our manufacturing technology, we do not use the small wooden boards typically employed in conventional production processes to make graphite and coloured pencils from upcycled wood.
Instead, we use wood shavings produced as a by-product of sawing and planing processes in the woodworking industry. These are ground down and further processed during production. This means that even small wood scraps can be utilised in the manufacturing process.
Coloured pencils and lead pencils ‘Made from Upcycled Wood’ carry the ‘Green Product Mark Writing Instruments’ environmental certification from TÜV Rheinland.
Dry Safe
DRY SAFE technology was developed to extend the service life of our products.
It is based on a principle found in nature, whereby a protective layer delays drying out. This principle is applied in the technology.
This means that pens can be left uncapped for longer periods without drying out.
Pens with recycled casings
We are also implementing measures to reduce the use of virgin materials in our plastic products. We are gradually switching to recycled materials for our plastic pens.
The casings of our pens – that is, the barrel, protective cap and end cap – are already made from 97 % recycled plastic in accordance with ISO 14021. The use of recycled materials helps to reduce the use of virgin raw materials.
Sustainable packaging solutions
We are working to make our packaging more resource-efficient and to reduce the use of plastics wherever possible.
A large proportion of our cardboard packaging, such as coloured pencil cases, is already made from at least 80 % recycled material.
We have completely switched our blister packs from PVC to PET. Parts of our range are also packaged in solid cardboard or recycled PET.
Our plastic cases are also made from 75 % recycled PET (rPET) or, where possible, have been replaced by cardboard packaging.
Sustainable, certified forestry
Wood as a raw material
Wood is a key raw material for our pencils and coloured pencils. All STAEDTLER pencils with wooden barrels are made from wood sourced from certified forests.
Relevant environmental considerations are taken into account both in our own production and throughout the supply chain.
All the wood we use is PEFC or FSC® certified
Production and process innovations
We take responsibility for our production by continuously improving it and implementing measures to optimise resource use. We use modern technologies to reduce waste volumes and energy consumption. Plastic waste is collected separately and sent for recycling.
A key component is the use of renewable energy: since 2019, we have been generating our own electricity through photovoltaic systems. In addition, we source green electricity at all our German sites and in Peru.