The Wren Write-Off recycled plastic pen combines sustainability with a premium writing experience through its refillable design.
A UK-based stationery brand has launched an innovative solution to combat the growing problem of plastic pen waste. Tom’s Studio recently unveiled “The Wren – Write Off,” a recycled plastic pen featuring lids made from upcycled plastic waste—primarily discarded pens.
The product represents a step forward in the company’s ongoing mission to create high-quality, refillable writing tools while reducing environmental impact.
According to industry data, approximately nine billion disposable pens are thrown away globally each year. These discarded items contribute significantly to plastic pollution and landfill waste.
For more than seven decades, billions of plastic pens have been discarded, creating a harmful legacy of microplastics in the environment. Tom’s Studio aims to change this pattern by giving single-use pens a second life.
The company partnered with UK schools to collect discarded stationery items and collaborated with Brothers Make, an independent design team that specializes in repurposing plastic waste.
Together, they developed a process to transform used pens, DVD cases, and other plastic items into recycled plastic pen lids for the Write Off product line. Each lid undergoes a detailed manufacturing process involving sorting, chipping, and injection-molding the rescued plastic in small batches.
This meticulous approach ensures that every lid is one of a kind. The result is a writing tool that serves its primary function while also helping to address the plastic waste crisis.
“The stationery industry has a huge plastic problem,” said Tom Gyr, who founded Tom’s Studio. “We launched the Wren last year as an infinitely refillable alternative to throwaway pens. With Write Off, we’re taking waste that’s already out there and turning it into something better.”
Despite its eco-friendly design, the Wren – Write Off maintains the same features as the original Wren pen. It includes an infinitely refillable ink reservoir, which eliminates the need to discard the entire pen when the ink runs out.
The pen also features a replaceable fiber tip for smooth writing. Its lightweight design makes it comfortable for everyday use, while the durable anodized aluminum body ensures longevity.
Users can mix and match lids and bodies to create custom color combinations. The lids themselves come in five different color options, each made from a different blend of waste plastic.
This manufacturing approach guarantees that every lid is unique. Like the original Wren, the Write Off model delivers a high-quality writing experience while helping to reduce the number of pens that end up in landfills.
The impact of switching to this recycled plastic pen is substantial. If the average person uses 8-10 disposable pens per year, a single Wren – Write Off could prevent over 100 plastic pens from entering landfills during a 10-year period. This calculation considers the refillable nature of the pen and its durable construction designed for long-term use.
See also: Jelt: Wearables from Recycled Plastic.
Tom’s Studio was established with a straightforward goal: to create superior tools for creativity that are beautiful, refillable, and built to last. The company’s origin story begins with a personal connection to writing instruments.
The inspiration for the business came when Tom observed his wife, a professional calligrapher, using a mass-produced plastic pen. He felt the quality of the tool didn’t match the quality of her artistic work.
Drawing on his background in product design and experience working in a blacksmith’s forge, Tom decided to create a recycled plastic pen that would enhance her daily writing experience. What began as a single handmade pen has evolved into a rapidly growing online stationery business.
Today, Tom’s Studio ships products to customers in more than 80 countries worldwide. The brand has gained recognition in the retail market and is now stocked by major retailers and independent shops alike.
In the United Kingdom, consumers can find Tom’s Studio products at well-known stores such as John Lewis and Fortnum & Mason. In the United States, the brand is carried by retailers including Dick Blick and Boston General Store. The company has also expanded into Asian markets, with products available at Paper Tree in Japan.
The launch of the Wren – Write Off represents a natural progression in the company’s commitment to sustainability. By creating recycled plastic pens that not only reduce future waste but actually repurpose existing waste, Tom’s Studio is demonstrating how businesses can take meaningful action on environmental issues.
The stationery industry is just one of many sectors where single-use plastic remains prevalent. Products like the Wren – Write Off show that creative solutions exist for transforming waste materials into functional, desirable consumer goods.
As consumers become increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their purchases, products that combine quality, functionality, and sustainability may well represent the future of consumer goods across many categories.
