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Writing the Future, Together :
CIRCULAR ECONOMY JOURNEY
BIC’s approach to products and packaging is based on our 4R philosophy, inspired by the principles of the circular economy to change the linear ”take-make-dispose”model into a new way of designing products to keep them in use and prevent them from becoming waste or generate pollution.
Reducing the number of raw materials used to make our products, including as many recycled or alternative materials as possible, making more refillable products, and improving the recyclability of our products and packaging will contribute to making our economy more circular.
REDUCE THE USE OF RESOURCES
CHOOSE RECYCLED/ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS
DESIGN REFILLABLE, LONG-LASTING PRODUCTS
IMPROVE RECYCLABILITY
Our Progress
99%
of cardboard packaging comes from certified and/or recycled sources.
98%
of plastic packaging material is PVC free.
81%
recyclable, reusable or compostable plastic in consumer packaging.
92%
of BIC products are produced in BIC-owned factories.
78%
of writing products are packaged in boxes, trays or bags of 10+ products in Europe (87.1% in North America).
BIC continues to explore how to maximize the use of recycled and alternative materials in BIC products.
- In 2023, a retractable gel pen made from 78% recycled ocean-bound plastic waste was added to this range. Today, all our major stationery lines include at least one product made with alternative materials.
Partnerships & Memberships
THE ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION
In 2020, BIC became a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, global thought leader on Circular Economy. Its various programs will enable BIC’s teams to expand their knowledge, develop their skills, build a network and collaborate with key organizations on topics related to the circular economy.
BIC'S PARTNERSHIP WITH TERRACYCLE
Since 2011, the BIC-TerraCycle program has offered the collection and recycling of used writing instruments - BIC-branded or not - in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
UBICUITY
A partnership with Govaplast and Plas Eco for the design, manufacture and distribution of “Ubicuity™, the ‘write’ kind of bench™” furniture. Govaplast converts plastic materials into recycled plastic boards. Plas Eco uses these boards to design, manufacture, distribute and market products in the Ubicuity™ line.