In a throw-away society, disposable pens make a significant contribution to our waste stream and the production of pens is an energy intensive process. US company DBA has taken steps to address both these issues with its "98" product.
The DBA 98 Pen is a 98% biodegradable pen composed of what the company says are "simple, pronounceable ingredients".
Most disposable pens are made up of steel, polypropylene, nylon, polyester and are not recyclable, but the DBA pen body is made from bioplastic and the ink reservoir from a renewable fibre. The company says the ink itself meets the highest safest standards in relation to environmental toxicity.
The pen has been designed to decompose within 180 days. The only non-recyclable part is the nib, 2% of the pen’s weight, which needs to be disposed of as garbage.
The packaging is composed of 100% recycled content, printed with vegetable-based inks and is also 100% recyclable.
The DBA 98 pen is manufactured at Harbec, a plastics company DBA says is one of the most ecologically sustainable factories in the United States. The plant is powered by an on-site wind turbine, an energy efficient combined heat and power microturbine generation plant and a geothermal-assisted cooling system. The facility exceeds the ISO 14001 environmental management standard.
