Sustainable products

Waste is generated during the production and consumption of goods. The returning of this waste to the material cycle through reprocessing is called recycling. The term "material recovery" has the same meaning.

However, waste can also be "recovered" in other ways, e.g. by energy or thermal processing. In this process, the waste is gasified or burned and used to generate Energy.

Recycling and energy recovery are not contradictory. The waste is used to extract what can be recycled and reprocessed into raw materials. Even with all the recycling, there is still waste that has to be used in other ways. Generating energy through combustion or gasification is therefore a useful way of utilizing it, because it saves the use of primary fuels such as coal, oil or gas.

The standard DIN EN ISO 14021 serves as a basis for the definition of recycling material. According to specific criteria of this standard, plastic material can be labelled as so-called "recyclate" once it has been obtained from plastic waste "after its use as a consumer good" (post-consumer) or also as collected plastic waste from other branches of industry (post-industrial) and is used for new, different products.

A recycled PET bottle is a typical example of post-consumer recycling. Unmixed and unavoidable waste from branches of industry such as plastic packaging for components for further processing in medical engineering are an example of post-industrial recycling.

The products recovered through appropriate waste systems are processed for recycling using suitable processes (e.g. for injection moulding).

Material which is generated in the course of a technical manufacturing process by scrap components or sprues and reused by reprocessing or returning it in the same process is not considered as 'recyclate'. This waste can be avoided and its reuse is not to be called or labelled as Recycling.

According to the DIN EN ISO 14021 standard, both types of recycling are allowed to be called "recycling". Post-industrial recyclate is usually obtained from plastic waste of a pure type and colour, which was generated during the production process in the industry and was unavoidable. This can be used to manufacture new products with higher technical or optical requirements. The raw material purity of the recyclate is often significant and can have a massive influence on the product's target characteristics.

Post-consumer recyclate is produced from collected used and discarded products, packaging, films, etc. A major problem is the wide variety of different plastic types and colours, which often cannot be separated properly. This reduces the possibilities for the usage of new technically demanding products or their properties.

There are no exact specifications for this. If, however, a statement is made about "recycling", the percentage of recycled material must be stated (according to DIN EN ISO 14021). There are certification bodies that independently check the percentage of recycled content. The DIN EN ISO 14021 standard also regulates the term "recycling" and separates genuine recycling from re-use in the process.

A biobased plastic comes from renewable resources such as sugar cane, corn or lactic acids from plant fermentation processes.
A recycled plastic, on the other hand, usually has a petrochemical origin and always a "first life". In other words, in their
first life, recycling products were already products or packaging materials before being sent into the waste disposal system for reprocessing into the recycled plastic granulates. By taking it back and processing it can be awakened to a "Second Life" and thus become a new product.

Both are perfectly reasonable. The two ways of conserving resources must not be put in competition, because each of them is legitimate. The choice of the material depends strongly on the requirements of the resulting product. Products made of bio-based plastic and thus renewable resources can also be recycled in the end. Furthermore, infinite recycling is not possible because the quality of the plastic decreases after each recycling.

There is no general answer to this question. The loss of quality caused by recycling and the further loss of quality to be expected from repeated recycling are the decision criteria.

Not for our purposes. Because our maxim is to use recyclates that are of high quality and tested for harmful substances, we have to select specially suitable recyclates from certified sources. Recycled plastics require preparation processes and are therefore not cheaper than new material. To avoid as much waste as possible or even not to generate it at all reflects our philosophy and is a matter we hold close to our heart. That's why we use recycled plastic out of conviction and offer it to our customers at no extra cost.

Yes, there is the DIN EN ISO 14021, which links clear regulations to the term "recycling". It also describes what constitutes "genuine recycling" and what may and may not be classified as such. For example, the re-introduction of sprues from the injection moulding which are shredded and returned to production process, may not be called recycling. Unfortunately, we observe again and again that in the advertising statements of other manufacturers this issue is not correctly represented.

No, because the processing of a recyclate requires far less energy than the extraction of crude oil, which is the raw material for plastics.

Plastic is a highly versatile material that enables user-specific solutions. For writing instruments, for example, high density and stability are important for a long service life, as are surfaces that are comfortable to hold, mechanical properties, a variety of colours, etc. Last but not least, plastic is a lightweight and cost-effective material that makes the pens affordable for everyone.The simple and clean refill options that we offer for many of our products guarantee the unlimited usability of our writing instruments for several years.

We have always reintroduced production waste from our own injection moulding operations into the production process by re-grinding it. The proportion of our recovered waste is over 85 %. By definition, however, this is not supposed to be called recycling, but re-using in the same process and thus an avoidable waste.

By using recycled material, we are actively helping to conserve the increasingly scarce sources of raw materials and energy. The use of recycled materials depends strongly on the requirements of the resulting product. Recycled plastics are not suitable for every technical and aesthetic requirement. Furthermore, it must be ensured that the recycled material is permanently available in sufficient quantity and Quality.

We make no compromises when it comes to the quality of our recycled plastic products. In this way, we apply the same high quality standards to these products as are commonly encountered at Schneider. Only when this is guaranteed beyond doubt do we convert established products and model series to series production. For example, many of our marker bodies have recently been converted to recycled plastic. These have the same high quality properties and therefore the same service life as their predecessors made of conventional new plastics.

We have carried out independent certifications for all recycling plastics used by accredited certification bodies, which confirm the recyclate content.

e.g. PET bottles, cosmetic packaging, hygiene articles, films, refrigerator parts, medical products, electronic devices or waste from the households. These are selected from the waste stream according to their type and reconditioned for further processing.

Through the certification of independent certification bodies such as DIN Certco and / or EUCert-Plast.

The recycled plastics used for our products are in some cases pure in colour and can therefore be dyed brilliantly (e.g. PET). However, there are also recyclate types that are only available in black. Of course, we endeavour to use as pure and colour-neutral sources of recyclate as possible in order to create serial products from them that are in no way inferior to conventional plastic products. We thus satisfy the preferences of a broad target group and do not promote separate "eco-lines".

The disposal of writing instruments in amounts which are normal for households can be done within the domestic waste. The plastic is then either recycled or used to generate thermal energy.

The percentage of recycled content always refers to the visible body parts of the pen. This means that the percentage decreases if conventional plastics are also integrated in any part of the pen body. But even if all body parts were made of recycled material, a 100% indication would be misleading because auxiliary materials or small amounts of colorants are always included in the processing.

Examples of bio-based plastics are BioPE, BioPET, cellulose acetate and PLA.
Bio-based plastics are derived from renewable raw materials (RRM). These include corn starch, sugar cane or beet, vegetable oils such as castor oil and cellulose from cotton or wood.

Bioplastics include both bio-based plastics and biodegradable plastics. The formulation 'bio-based' is specifically applied to plastics derived from renewable raw materials.

There are no precise specifications. Certification systems exist based on the proportions of bio-based plastics in a material.

Both biodegradable and non-degradable plastics exist. Biodegradability is neither a necessary nor an exclusive feature of bio-based plastics - certain fossil-fuel plastics may also be formulated to be biodegradable. It is technically impracticable to create products with a long-service life, designed to remain resistant over periods of use under all climatic conditions, that are subsequently biodegradable after their useful life.

Biodegradable means that a material can be broken down by natural, biological processes within a reasonable period of time. This is, however, a rather general statement. When speaking of the biodegradable properties of a material or product, it is essential to give additional information regarding the duration and the necessary environmental conditions. For instance, a material can biodegrade in the human body (surgical sutures), at the surface of the ocean, on the beach or at the bottom of the sea, in the soil on a field, or in a biogas or composting plant. Accordingly, there are various test standards and associated certification systems that distinguish, for instance, between industrial and domestic composting.

The use of renewable raw materials conserves limited petroleum resources and reduces CO₂ emissions in an average comparison with conventional petroleum-based raw materials.

The global production capacity for bio-based and biodegradable plastics is around 2.27 million tonnes, according to estimates by industry experts (European Bioplastics, 2018). For comparison, 335 million tonnes of conventional plastics were produced in 2016 (PlasticsEurope, 2017). Europe accounts for about 11.6 % of the production of biobased and biodegradable plastics, which corresponds to about 263,000 tonnes (Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites, 2018). These capacities have been increasing at their low level for several years. The market share varies depending on the sector.

We are monitoring the use of soil fertilisers, pesticides and genetic engineering as well as the amount of water consumed in growing renewable raw materials. The goal for the future is to ensure that the raw materials used in producing bio-based plastics comes from sustainable agricultural production that is carried out in accordance with ecological criteria. However, it is also necessary to realise that ever since the onset of industrialisation, there has been a general continual intensification of agriculture to maximise yields when growing renewable raw materials for all areas of use, such as consumed and non-consumed foodstuffs, feed, energy sources, textiles, etc.

Only biodegradably formulated plastics can be composted. Controlled industrial composting necessitates standard conditions in accordance with EN 13432 that do not occur in nature. Biodegradable plastic only decomposes slowly under natural conditions. The duration of the process varies according to the material thicknesses and climatic conditions.

BioPE and BioPET made from renewable raw materials can be detected in the recycling stream, recycled and reused in the same way as conventional PE and PET made from fossil-fuel-based raw materials. 

Recycling systems for new types of bio-based plastics, such as PLA, are already under development. Schneider is also working on the sustainable reuse of PLA in a research association with the Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites (IfBB) of the Hochschule Hannover - University of Applied Sciences and Arts and other partners. A recycling company already exists in Germany that is able to separate the waste PLA from other materials collected in the dual waste disposal system.

Plastic is a highly versatile material that lends itself well to creating user-specific solutions. Important aspects of writing instruments are high impermeability and good stability to ensure a long product service life, as well as outer surfaces that are pleasant to the touch. Moreover, plastic is a light, cheap material that can be used to make pens that anyone can afford. The simple and clean refilling methods that we offer for many of our products ensure their unlimited usability for years to come.

Bio-based plastic is hardly a new invention. The first industrially produced plastic was a bioplastic - celluloid - first made in 1869. The first fossil-fuel-based plastics, which we still use today, were only invented in the early twentieth century. However, as they were cheaper, subsequent developments concentrated on them.

This is a situation that will - and must - change in the coming years. Mineral oil is a finite resource and frequently subject to speculation and crisis. Moreover, mineral oil production harbours a serious risk to the environment, for example through fracking. Our primary objective is for bio-based plastics to achieve all the familiar and outstanding characteristics of fossil-fuel plastics, so as to protect our finite resources.

No, not at all. Our bio-based plastic writing instruments display no disadvantages when compared with similar products made from conventional fossil-fuel based plastic. This is because the bio-based plastics we use are specially developed and modified for our applications.

Since 2010, independent certification of bio-based products has been available in Germany. The certifying body DIN CERTCO introduced its 'DIN-proven biobased mark' for this purpose. Bio-based carbon content is determined by means of the standardised and internationally recognised C14 Method (EU Standard CEN/TS 17137, US Standard ASTM 6866). We have conducted this independent certification for all writing instruments made of bio-based plastic.

The development of bio-based plastics is still ongoing. It is not yet possible to produce all the raw materials required for their production by renewable means. This is why some bio-based plastics are only partially made from renewable raw materials. One of the goals of our ongoing developments is to increase the bio-based content of the plastics employed in our production.

Despite their high RRM content, the bio-based plastics configured for our applications can be dyed in brilliant colours. The dyes we use have been specially formulated for our purposes and they cover a broad colour spectrum. Our bio-based plastic products are not niche products and reflect the tastes of the broad public.

We use a large number of different types of plastic. The changeover to bio-based plastics requires an intensive development process. Not all types of bio-based plastic possess the properties that are required for writing instruments, such as providing a barrier to stop inks from drying out. We are currently working on further writing instruments made of bio-based plastic and will add them to our product range accordingly.

The two ways of conserving resources must not be placed in competition, because each type has its justification. The use depends strongly on the requirements of the resulting product. In addition to bio-based plastics, we are also increasingly using recycled plastics for pen body parts and writing instrument components. Moreover, bio-based plastics can also be recycled in the same way as conventional plastics.

The disposal of writing instruments in household quantities can be done with the household waste, via the residual waste. Whether the body is made of bio-based plastic is irrelevant. The plastic is either recycled through disposal or used to generate thermal energy. In this case, only the CO₂ stored by nature is released or, in other words, CO₂-neutral energy is generated.

Bio-based plastics offer great potential. We are already using the bio-based plastics that are available today and are helping to develop optimum production processes for them. We work in close coordination with researchers, for instance the Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites (IfBB) of the Hochschule Hannover - University of Applied Sciences and Arts.

Climate protection projects demonstrably save greenhouse gases, for example through afforestation or renewable energies. Independent organizations such as TÜV, SGS, PwC and others verify the exact amount of emissions which are being saved. The project operator finances the project by selling certified emission reduction certificates. Only projects requiring financial support are recognized as climate protection projects.

CO₂ emissions that arise during the manufacture of a product are determined by the so-called "Product Carbon Footprint" (PCF). This represents the ecological footprint of the product. For this purpose, we also record the CO₂-relevant factors that arise during the production or processing of raw materials and their transport at our upstream suppliers. In addition, we also include site-specific emissions, such as employee travel or business trips, in the calculation by means of a cost allocation (CCF). CO₂ emissions over which we have no direct influence or which are unavoidable are offset by investing in recognised climate protection projects. We already offer many product series climate-neutrally at no additional cost to our customers (including our complete Slider series, the Link-It and Line-Up products or our One series). In addition, our complete range of promotional writing instruments is produced climate-neutrally (all residual emissions are compensated). Schneider supports the certified climate protection project for wind energy in Tuppadahalli in India (link) as well as the marine protection project (link).

Companies, products and processes can be called carbon neutral if the CO₂ emissions they cause have been calculated and offset by supporting internationally recognized and certified carbon offset projects. Offsetting CO₂ emissions is, alongside avoidance and reduction of emissions, another important step in holistic climate protection. Greenhouse gases such as CO₂ are evenly distributed in the atmosphere, so the greenhouse gas concentration is roughly the same throughout the world. Since regionally generated greenhouse gases disperse evenly throughout the atmosphere, it is equally beneficial to the climate whether CO₂ is saved at the site where it is emitted or elsewhere. Emissions that can not be avoided or reduced locally can therefore be mathematically offset through climate protection measures at another location by supporting the certified climate protection projects.

Simply remove the lid of the refill bottle and insert the tip of the marker into the opening provided. It is best to leave it in the bottle overnight so that the fibre reservoir inside the marker can fill up with ink again. 1 bottle is enough for approx. 8-10 fillings.

Definitely no! Species-appropriate husbandry and animal welfare are very important to us! That is why we at Schneider categorically exclude tests on animals with our products out of conviction alone (among other things, we started a project for wild bee hotels with our trainees last year). Our products are tested exclusively with alternative test methods for suitability for everyday use, properties and service life in accordance with the applicable consumer protection regulations.

We can guarantee that no direct animal raw materials are used in our research & development or in the production of Schneider products. Schneider increasingly uses plant-based raw materials such as bio-based plastics or dyes within the scope of possibilities and technical progress. In addition, we require an ADC declaration from our raw material suppliers, i.e. a confirmation that no components of animal origin have been used. This can also be confirmed for the majority of our raw materials. However, we cannot currently give a 100% guarantee for exclusively vegan basic and auxiliary materials, which in turn are used for the production of our raw materials (as our suppliers and their sub-suppliers cannot exclude influences of animal origin in basic materials/auxiliary materials beyond doubt).