Question
Chances are, there is a pencil close by you right now. Pencils are used all over the world
and this small piece of “technology” assists many people every day with getting their thoughts
on paper. Very few people consider the environmental impact of this tiny tool.
Take a look at your pencil closely. Do you notice all the parts? Are there words on the
pencil? What about the part holding in the eraser? Is it painted? These are all questions to
consider when you think about the manufacturing of your pencil. This is the process an item
goes through before getting to the store. These are also questioning you should consider when
thinking about the impact your supplies have on the environment.
How Pencils are Made
As you may know, pencils are made from wood. Most trees are made from cedar wood,
but many pencil companies have shifted to reforested wood because it is better for the
environment. The trees are cut into precise slabs, then placed into a machine where they are cut.
Once cut, graphite is placed between the wood and pressed into a pencil. The pencil wood must
be strong enough to protect the graphite but not so strong that it crushes it. It also should not
be able to bend under the pressure of a hand but must be soft enough to be sharpened. The
wood around the graphite prevents it from being broken easily. After the shape is made, it is
sent through a sprayer to be painted. It typically takes four coats of paint to cover the wood
grain entirely. If any logos or names are printed on the pencil, it happens after the pencil is
completely yellow. Finally, an eraser cap is placed on with an aluminum ferrule. This process
does not include the manufacturing process that occurs when the pencils are packaged, placed
on a truck to get to a store, then delivered to a home, classroom, or business to use them.
Environmental Impact
When using a pencil, the material that writes on the paper is called graphite. Graphite
must be mined with strong equipment from underground. Although it is not mined as often as
other minerals, mining can still cause unwanted weathering and erosion, the development of
sinkholes, air pollution, and loss of habitat for animals from deforestation.
In addition to the graphite, pencils are mostly made from wood. Many trees cut down are
cedar trees which grow well in California. Many others are part of rainforests and provide
valuable shelter to animals, absorb carbon dioxide from our air, and provide us with oxygen we
need to breathe.
Some companies, such as Crayola, have made a positive impact by using recycled
materials and ensuring for every tree being cut down, they always plant another one. However,
most of the large companies manufacturing pencils are for profit and the damage done to the
environment is an afterthought.
Surfing and STEM
PENCILS
What about Mechanical Pencils?
Unfortunately, mechanical pencils are much worse to use than wooden pencils. They are
made almost entirely from plastic which can take 500 years or more to decompose. While it
may be reusable, many people simply run out of lead and throw the pencil in the garbage which
sends the trash to a landfill.
How can I make a Difference?
Making a difference might not be as difficult as you think. It’s okay to use pencils,
especially if you are in school. The easiest way to make a difference is to not waste your
pencils, its as simple as that!
1- Once you have a pencil in your possession, keep it with you. If your parent or teacher
allows, write your name on it with a permanent marker. Write with your pencil until it’s dull.
Constantly sharpening your pencil will deplete the wood faster. When it is ready to be
sharpened, only sharpen it for a few seconds, then check to see if it’s sharp. When possible, use
a handheld sharpener.
2- Research the company of your pencil before purchasing again. Look at their website
and see if they have a recycling program. See where they get their wood, and if they use
recycled wood or if they are a contributor to deforestation.
3- Recycle your pencil when possible. Many companies allow you to send in boxes of
pencils that are almost out for free! Just box up the used pencils, place the shipping label and
send it. They can reuse the old pieces to make new pencils. If you are not able to recycle your
pencil, use the pencil until you are unable to sharpen it.
Pencil Fun Facts
The reasoning behind yellow pencils is disputed on the internet. Some argue that when pencils
were manufactured mostly in China, yellow is the color that represented royalty in their country.
Some argue, however, that it is meant to blend in with school buses.
In the early 1900’s children in school were given one pencil only.
They were expected to keep up with this pencil. Failure to do so may have resulted in expulsion
(not allowed to come back to school).
The largest pencil in the world is 20 meters high and can be found in Malaysia.
The average pencil can draw a line that is 70 miles long.
More than two billion pencils are used in the United State every year.
Surfing and STEM
My Pencil Research Activity
What utensil are you using to write on this paper? If you’re on a computer, find the nearest
pencil to you. Look on the sides of the pencil for the name of the company. Some common
names are Ticonderoga, Bic, Dixon, and Office Depot.
The Brand Name on my Pencil: _________________________________________
Other Details on my Pencil: ____________________________________________
Find their company website using your teacher approved technology.
My Pencil Company’s Website: __________________________________________
Is there anything listed on the company’s website about recycling? You may have to click
multiple tabs on the site to find this information. If so, what does it say?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Does the website list how the pencils are made? What type of wood do they use? If its not
listed, research on your own and write down the website where you found this information.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
What other information can you find that you think may be important to know before
purchasing from this pencil company?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being “absolutely not” and 10 being “absolutely yes!” Would you
recommend this pencil company?
Circle one.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
answer in eight word sentences for each question and please use vocab a 13 year old would use
and this small piece of “technology” assists many people every day with getting their thoughts
on paper. Very few people consider the environmental impact of this tiny tool.
Take a look at your pencil closely. Do you notice all the parts? Are there words on the
pencil? What about the part holding in the eraser? Is it painted? These are all questions to
consider when you think about the manufacturing of your pencil. This is the process an item
goes through before getting to the store. These are also questioning you should consider when
thinking about the impact your supplies have on the environment.
How Pencils are Made
As you may know, pencils are made from wood. Most trees are made from cedar wood,
but many pencil companies have shifted to reforested wood because it is better for the
environment. The trees are cut into precise slabs, then placed into a machine where they are cut.
Once cut, graphite is placed between the wood and pressed into a pencil. The pencil wood must
be strong enough to protect the graphite but not so strong that it crushes it. It also should not
be able to bend under the pressure of a hand but must be soft enough to be sharpened. The
wood around the graphite prevents it from being broken easily. After the shape is made, it is
sent through a sprayer to be painted. It typically takes four coats of paint to cover the wood
grain entirely. If any logos or names are printed on the pencil, it happens after the pencil is
completely yellow. Finally, an eraser cap is placed on with an aluminum ferrule. This process
does not include the manufacturing process that occurs when the pencils are packaged, placed
on a truck to get to a store, then delivered to a home, classroom, or business to use them.
Environmental Impact
When using a pencil, the material that writes on the paper is called graphite. Graphite
must be mined with strong equipment from underground. Although it is not mined as often as
other minerals, mining can still cause unwanted weathering and erosion, the development of
sinkholes, air pollution, and loss of habitat for animals from deforestation.
In addition to the graphite, pencils are mostly made from wood. Many trees cut down are
cedar trees which grow well in California. Many others are part of rainforests and provide
valuable shelter to animals, absorb carbon dioxide from our air, and provide us with oxygen we
need to breathe.
Some companies, such as Crayola, have made a positive impact by using recycled
materials and ensuring for every tree being cut down, they always plant another one. However,
most of the large companies manufacturing pencils are for profit and the damage done to the
environment is an afterthought.
Surfing and STEM
PENCILS
What about Mechanical Pencils?
Unfortunately, mechanical pencils are much worse to use than wooden pencils. They are
made almost entirely from plastic which can take 500 years or more to decompose. While it
may be reusable, many people simply run out of lead and throw the pencil in the garbage which
sends the trash to a landfill.
How can I make a Difference?
Making a difference might not be as difficult as you think. It’s okay to use pencils,
especially if you are in school. The easiest way to make a difference is to not waste your
pencils, its as simple as that!
1- Once you have a pencil in your possession, keep it with you. If your parent or teacher
allows, write your name on it with a permanent marker. Write with your pencil until it’s dull.
Constantly sharpening your pencil will deplete the wood faster. When it is ready to be
sharpened, only sharpen it for a few seconds, then check to see if it’s sharp. When possible, use
a handheld sharpener.
2- Research the company of your pencil before purchasing again. Look at their website
and see if they have a recycling program. See where they get their wood, and if they use
recycled wood or if they are a contributor to deforestation.
3- Recycle your pencil when possible. Many companies allow you to send in boxes of
pencils that are almost out for free! Just box up the used pencils, place the shipping label and
send it. They can reuse the old pieces to make new pencils. If you are not able to recycle your
pencil, use the pencil until you are unable to sharpen it.
Pencil Fun Facts
The reasoning behind yellow pencils is disputed on the internet. Some argue that when pencils
were manufactured mostly in China, yellow is the color that represented royalty in their country.
Some argue, however, that it is meant to blend in with school buses.
In the early 1900’s children in school were given one pencil only.
They were expected to keep up with this pencil. Failure to do so may have resulted in expulsion
(not allowed to come back to school).
The largest pencil in the world is 20 meters high and can be found in Malaysia.
The average pencil can draw a line that is 70 miles long.
More than two billion pencils are used in the United State every year.
Surfing and STEM
My Pencil Research Activity
What utensil are you using to write on this paper? If you’re on a computer, find the nearest
pencil to you. Look on the sides of the pencil for the name of the company. Some common
names are Ticonderoga, Bic, Dixon, and Office Depot.
The Brand Name on my Pencil: _________________________________________
Other Details on my Pencil: ____________________________________________
Find their company website using your teacher approved technology.
My Pencil Company’s Website: __________________________________________
Is there anything listed on the company’s website about recycling? You may have to click
multiple tabs on the site to find this information. If so, what does it say?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Does the website list how the pencils are made? What type of wood do they use? If its not
listed, research on your own and write down the website where you found this information.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
What other information can you find that you think may be important to know before
purchasing from this pencil company?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being “absolutely not” and 10 being “absolutely yes!” Would you
recommend this pencil company?
Circle one.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
answer in eight word sentences for each question and please use vocab a 13 year old would use
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Sure! Here are the answers you need in eight-word sentences with age-appropriate vocabulary:
**The Brand Name on my Pencil:** Ticonderoga
**Other Details on my Pencil:** It has a pink eraser and yellow color.
**My Pencil Company’s Website:** www.ticonderoga.com
**Recycling Information from the Company Website:** They do not mention recycling on their website.
**Wood Type Used in Pencils:** They use cedar wood for making their pencils.
**Other Important Information:** Ticonderoga pencils are known for their high quality.
**Recommendation Rating:** 8
I think Ticonderoga makes good pencils for everyone.
**The Brand Name on my Pencil:** Ticonderoga
**Other Details on my Pencil:** It has a pink eraser and yellow color.
**My Pencil Company’s Website:** www.ticonderoga.com
**Recycling Information from the Company Website:** They do not mention recycling on their website.
**Wood Type Used in Pencils:** They use cedar wood for making their pencils.
**Other Important Information:** Ticonderoga pencils are known for their high quality.
**Recommendation Rating:** 8
I think Ticonderoga makes good pencils for everyone.