Begreen
Recycled Products
Write better with less.
Preserving the environment is a major challenge that has long guided our acts and thinking. At Pilot, we constantly innovate while sustainably involving ourselves to limit our impact on the planet. Transforming our pens to make them ever more eco-friendly is a genuine technological and human feat.
That’s why all our actions drive us to write better with less, to write the world of tomorrow with you.
More than a philosophy, the WRITE BETTER WITH LESS principle represents our approach aimed at reducing the ecological impact of our production while preserving our standards of quality and innovation.
This approach of constant improvement has been rewarded by achieving the very selective EMAS registration as well as the ISO 14001 norm. Proud of these milestones, we are further pursuing our efforts through an action plan based on 4 essential pillars: our 4R’s
Recycle
Give maximum priority to using recycled plastic.
Refill
Change the refill, not the pen.
Reduce
Less plastic in our packaging.
Reclaim
Reduce pollution collecting plastic ocean waste.
Our actions in video
The 4R: our pillars
Recycle
Give maximum priority to using recycled plastic.
The extraction of raw materials needed to produce plastic represents 77.8% of a pen’s carbon footprint. That’s why, since 2006, we have preferred to use recycled plastic to make our pens.
This optimisation of the production tool allows us to reduce the CO2 impact of the writing instruments concerned by between 19% and 57%.
Refill
Change the refill, not the pen.
Over 60 % of our products are refillable. This has also enabled our end users to rethink how they consume. Using the same product several times instead of throwing it away is a gesture that’s simple, economical, and ecological.
In this way by refilling, for example, a B2P roller 3 times, you can cut CO2 impact by 37 to 71% compared to the single use of 4 pens.*
Reduce
Less plastic in our packaging.
Current marketing practices oblige us to sell our pens with packaging. Since 2010, we have reduced quantities of virgin plastic by over 80% by using recycled plastic and FSC-certified cardboard. In 2020, we will go even further.
Our BEGREEN range is available with 100% recyclable cardboard packaging. All our e-commerce range is offered in 100% recyclable paper flowpacks. All formats of our logistical packaging are adapted to reduce empty space.
Reclaim
Reduce pollution collecting plastic ocean waste.
Between 8 – 12 million metric tons of plastic enter our oceans annually, and 70% of such waste actually sinks to the seabed, where we are unlikely to be able to clean it up. It is key to collect plastic before it enters the oceans!
In 2021, PILOT is taking a leading step in the fight against this worldwide pollution by adding an element of reclaimed ocean plastic to the recycled PET material used in the manufacture of the iconic B2P range (Gel and Ecoball).
This material is recuperated from oceans, beaches, rivers, lakes and the banks of those waterways, by our partner TerraCycle, the world’s leader in the collection and re-use of non-recyclable postconsumer waste.
Did you know?
Making things better and more responsibly has long been at the heart of our actions and research.
Back in 2006 we launched our BEGREEN range, eco-designed products that are 85% refillable and manufactured with a minimum of 70% recycled plastic. This pioneering approach allowed PILOT to be the 1st manufacturer worldwide to offer more environmentally-friendly writing instruments.
This determination to be eco-responsible instils all our teams with drive and enthusiasm. From design through to sale, we put all our energy into minimising our environmental impact.
In the spirit of our willingness to be transparent, our environmental goals and results can be freely consulted here.
* % of recycled material, excluding consumables.
Our Begreen range in video
Control, measure, involve.
At PILOT, we do whatever it takes to prevent industrial risk and to limit all forms of pollution linked to our activities. Pilot Corporation of Europe, located in France, in compliant with the legislation about plastic granules pollution limitation. Studies are constantly being undertaken to ensure our factories consume the least possible resources: whether water, gas, or electricity.
All products distributed in Europe come from PILOT factories. This enables us to control every stage in the manufacture of products, taking into account their environmental impact.
Our environmental vision is only meaningful if it is shared by everyone, and we are very proud to say that 100% of our employees are involved in our environmental approach.
We also make sure that our external partners share our values and convictions. Our distributors and consumers are always informed of our environmental goals and results via an environmental declaration.
Because a good idea can change everything.
The magicians are our engineers and R&D departments. They constantly innovate to reduce the use of virgin raw materials.
Since 2020, our 2 best-sellers, FriXion and G-2, have been manufactured with a minimum of 50% of recycled plastic, more proof of our desire to act effectively.
Recycling plastic water bottles to turn them into pens is another technological feat and that’s the story behind our B2P range since 2006.
In 2021, we’ll be going even further because for the first time worldwide, that same B2P range will be composed of not only recycled plastic from bottles, but also of plastic waste collected from beaches.
It’s an innovative initiative allowing us to take part at our level in tackling ocean pollution.
One more step towards environmental excellence.
From October 2021, all pens manufactured at Pilot European factory, based in France (74), are CO2 compensated. This means that Pilot compensate their CO2 emissions by supporting a certified carbon offset project.
PILOT has therefore decided to support and fund “Clean Oceans Plastic Bank Worldwide” through a partnership with Climate Partner. Between 8 and 12 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans annually and 70% of such waste sinks to the seabed where we are unlikely to be able to clean it up. The key is to collect plastic before it enters the oceans! And the “Plastic bank project’s” mission is exactly that; to stop plastic waste from entering the oceans.
F.A.Q.
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What is EMAS?
The EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is a premium management instrument developed by the European Commission for companies and other organisations to evaluate, report, and improve their environmental performance.
EMAS is open to every type of organisation eager to improve its environmental performance. It spans all economic and service sectors and is applicable worldwide. More information on: https://ec.europa.eu/
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What is ISO 14001?
Standard relating to the environmental management of companies. This involves measuring a company’s environmental impact, establishing improvement objectives and measuring their success.
This certification, renewable every two years, requires continuous improvement of the company’s environmental impact. This standard is not related to the products, but more particularly the production process.
