WOODEN PENCIL

1. What are the raw materials and from where do they come?
Raw materials used: Graphite, clay, wood, rubber, paint, metal (aluminum and copper)
China accounts for the main source of exported graphite in the world, but other countries such
as Brazil, Canada, and Mexico also export a large amount. Most of the wood used in a pencil
comes from cedar trees in California, Sweden, and South Africa. The rubber can come from
Thailand and Malaysia. Kazakhstan and Estonia often produce the yellow paint used on wooden
pencils, and the majority of metal used comes from China.
https://mineralseducationcoalition.org/minerals-database/graphite/
https://media.nationalgeographic.org/assets/file/geography-pencil-handout_.pdf
2. What are the processes converting them from raw material to the form it is now. What
types of energy, water, and other materials are needed in these processes.
The wood is driven from the harvesting location to a mill and the lumber is then sent to a factory.
Transportation by truck can result in more air pollutants and the burning of fossil fuels. By
cutting down trees, lumber companies are adding to the problem of deforestation. This could
lead to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions and the loss of biodiversity.The graphite, after
being mined, is sent to a factory along with clay that was collected. The graphite and clay are
mixed together and heated in an oven at a temperature of 1500 degrees fahrenheit to create the
lead that goes into a pencil. In the factory, machines are used to cut, glue, and create a mass
production of wooden pencils. Using machinery, although effective in getting the job done in a
timely and costly manner, adds to the rate of unemployment.

https://youtu.be/qqs3fxfmWr4
https://www.plt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/PLTPreK-8_Activity-82_Resource-Go-
Round_Student-Page_A-Pencils-Life-Cycle.pdf
3. How long will this product be in use? When it is done, are there alternative uses?
A wooden pencil can be used until the wood, lead, and rubber eraser are gone and there is just
the metal piece left. The little metal aluminum piece can be recycled. If someone didn’t want to
finish using their pencil(s), they could use it as fire wood or donate them to a school or church.
https://www.qualitylogoproducts.com/promo-university/how-to-recycle-pens-and-pencils.htm
4. When it is no longer useful, what will become of these materials? How does it fit in the
materials hierarchy?
For the wood, lead, and eraser- if the pencil is used completely- nothing can be done with them.
Recycled aluminum can be reused as drink cans. There aren’t a lot of materials needed for
pencil production and the only product that is left, aluminum, can be recycled. A pencil shouldn't
have to go to a landfill.
5. Can you envision alternative materials to support the same function but which are more
sustainable?
I think wooden pencils are already sustainable when used to their full potential.