http://www.wiretapmag.org/environment/43434/
Building A Better Pencil By Allie Schratz, February 20, 2008
(Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on San Francisco State's Golden Gate [X]press.)Kerry Davis believes in the power of environmental awareness —and that change starts with a single, newspaper-wrapped pencil.
Davis, a 23-year-old environmental studies major at San Francisco State, is the CEO of O'BON, a school supplies company that uses recycled materials to create everyday pencils, folders and notebooks, which are currently being sold in the SFSU Bookstore. Their new products, including two new lines of notebooks and the O'Bonanza fruit-printed notebooks and pencils, are available at the bookstore today.
Their pride is the reinvention of the ordinary wooden pencil, wrapping it in a mixture of old Chinese newspapers and non-toxic glue to make it both more ecologically-friendly and durable.
"We put an emphasis on making our products all-environmental," Davis said.
The Malaysia-based company, founded five years ago by Davis' dad and his business partner, has been so popular in Southeast Asia and Australia that last summer, they decided to expand their market to North America—and gave Davis the chance to run it.
"Unlike your typical business, this started with $5,000 and a few friends," said Davis, who taught himself how to run the business from his Villas apartment (in San Francisco's Parkmerced neighborhood) with a staff of all-volunteer students.
Together they have successfully sold O'BON products to two dozen vendors around the United States and Canada, including the Bookstore last November.
"I love it," said Amber Wilson, the bookstore's general merchandise manager, of the O'BON products. An advocate of the environment and supporter of student entrepreneurship, Wilson said O'BON is the first student-run company to sell recycled products in the bookstore.
Their products are environmentally friendly as well as eye-catching, using vegetable oil-based ink to create vibrant designs ranging from wild animals to juicy fruit so realistic you can almost taste it. "What sets us apart is the design," Davis said.
The bookstore currently carries O'BON's signature product, the newspaper-clad pencil in packs from the wildlife, original, and newsprint series.
Unlike the two pieces of incense-cedar wood glued together to make ordinary wooden pencils, O'BON uses old Chinese newspapers and a non-toxic, water-based glue to protect the graphite and hold the pencil together.
The paper is wrapped around the graphite 36 times and makes these pencils so durable they don't break easily, whether you hit the pencil on a desk or continuously sharpen it. On average, an O'BON pencil lasts at least three times longer than a wooden pencil, according to the O'BON Web site, www.stationary-obon.com.
In addition, they carry the wildlife folders and fact books, colored pencils, soy-based ink pens, Whoops! erasers and packs of L'artiste drawing pencils, all priced under $11.
Despite the spring being a slower selling season, general merchandise coordinator and recent SF State graduate Dilshan Fernando said environmentally friendly products have been flying off the shelves. "We usually sell more [school supplies] in the fall," said Fernando, "but O'BON products have sold well this semester."
The bookstore features products from several environmentally-conscious companies including Earthbound and EnviroTech, but Davis insists O'BON's quality is unparalleled.
"There's nothing similar," Davis said. "We touch upon a niche market."
Depending on where they're selling their products, "we push the environmental or design aspects," Davis said.
In Australia, the sustainability appeals to the green-conscious consumers, whereas the colorful designs are the draw for consumers in Malaysia. In San Francisco, Davis said the environmentally-friendly and progressive mentality of the city fit both strengths of O'BON products.
"I tell everyone to buy them," said Sheryl Creer, 22, a biology major and bookstore sales clerk who is a fan of the original solid-colored pencil series.
"I love that I can sharpen these pencils and then dump the shavings into the recycling bin," she said.
According to Wilson, the newspaper-printed pencils are among the top-selling O'BON items. She said the wildlife folders and triangular pencil packs have also been popular with students.
Fernando, who set up the O'BON display in the bookstore, said they plan to have a separate area designated for recycled products in the near future.
In order to spread their message of sustainability, the San Francisco-based O'BON staff attends conventions all over the United States to advertise O'BON products. In November, they attended the Green Festival and introduced their products to several vendors including Santa Clara's Green Earth Office Supply, who later ordered the wildlife pencil series.
O'BON has been also garnering national attention. Sustainable Planet, aPlatinum Broadcasting Co. TV series that promotes environmental sustainability through "green" business models, wants to include O'BON in their upcoming series about environmentally-friendly school supplies. The show will air twice nationally and 48 times regionally on ABC Family and Oxygen starting in mid-summer.
Davis said he hopes the series will "really appeal to wholesalers and office supply distributors" and give O'BON more name recognition in the industry.
To Davis, running this company isn't solely about making money— it's about the desire to make a great, sustainable product.
"From an environmental standpoint, business is a big problem because it's so profit-driven," said Davis, whose staff is willing to volunteer its time and skills for the experience, not a paycheck.
"This is why we've worked so hard," said Adam "Sandy" Sandoval, 24, an SF State kinesiology major and customer relations director for O'BON. "We know it could eventually get big."
In Asia, much of the money O'BON products brings in is used to hold demonstrations at elementary and middle schools. These presentations aim to educate students about the environment and the importance of choosing sustainably-made products.
The company is still new, but Davis said he hopes to start holding demonstrations here later this year.
"We [plan to] go into schools and say, 'This is what we do, this is what we sell, [and] let us tell you why this is better [than the average product],'" Davis said. "We can educate the world and change the mindsets of people through kids."
Allie Schratz is a regular contributor to XPress. She can be reached at aschratz AT sfsu DOT edu
(Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on San Francisco State's Golden Gate [X]press.)Kerry Davis believes in the power of environmental awareness —and that change starts with a single, newspaper-wrapped pencil.
Davis, a 23-year-old environmental studies major at San Francisco State, is the CEO of O'BON, a school supplies company that uses recycled materials to create everyday pencils, folders and notebooks, which are currently being sold in the SFSU Bookstore. Their new products, including two new lines of notebooks and the O'Bonanza fruit-printed notebooks and pencils, are available at the bookstore today.
Their pride is the reinvention of the ordinary wooden pencil, wrapping it in a mixture of old Chinese newspapers and non-toxic glue to make it both more ecologically-friendly and durable.
"We put an emphasis on making our products all-environmental," Davis said.
The Malaysia-based company, founded five years ago by Davis' dad and his business partner, has been so popular in Southeast Asia and Australia that last summer, they decided to expand their market to North America—and gave Davis the chance to run it.
"Unlike your typical business, this started with $5,000 and a few friends," said Davis, who taught himself how to run the business from his Villas apartment (in San Francisco's Parkmerced neighborhood) with a staff of all-volunteer students.
Together they have successfully sold O'BON products to two dozen vendors around the United States and Canada, including the Bookstore last November.
"I love it," said Amber Wilson, the bookstore's general merchandise manager, of the O'BON products. An advocate of the environment and supporter of student entrepreneurship, Wilson said O'BON is the first student-run company to sell recycled products in the bookstore.
Their products are environmentally friendly as well as eye-catching, using vegetable oil-based ink to create vibrant designs ranging from wild animals to juicy fruit so realistic you can almost taste it. "What sets us apart is the design," Davis said.
The bookstore currently carries O'BON's signature product, the newspaper-clad pencil in packs from the wildlife, original, and newsprint series.
Unlike the two pieces of incense-cedar wood glued together to make ordinary wooden pencils, O'BON uses old Chinese newspapers and a non-toxic, water-based glue to protect the graphite and hold the pencil together.
The paper is wrapped around the graphite 36 times and makes these pencils so durable they don't break easily, whether you hit the pencil on a desk or continuously sharpen it. On average, an O'BON pencil lasts at least three times longer than a wooden pencil, according to the O'BON Web site, www.stationary-obon.com.
In addition, they carry the wildlife folders and fact books, colored pencils, soy-based ink pens, Whoops! erasers and packs of L'artiste drawing pencils, all priced under $11.
Despite the spring being a slower selling season, general merchandise coordinator and recent SF State graduate Dilshan Fernando said environmentally friendly products have been flying off the shelves. "We usually sell more [school supplies] in the fall," said Fernando, "but O'BON products have sold well this semester."
The bookstore features products from several environmentally-conscious companies including Earthbound and EnviroTech, but Davis insists O'BON's quality is unparalleled.
"There's nothing similar," Davis said. "We touch upon a niche market."
Depending on where they're selling their products, "we push the environmental or design aspects," Davis said.
In Australia, the sustainability appeals to the green-conscious consumers, whereas the colorful designs are the draw for consumers in Malaysia. In San Francisco, Davis said the environmentally-friendly and progressive mentality of the city fit both strengths of O'BON products.
"I tell everyone to buy them," said Sheryl Creer, 22, a biology major and bookstore sales clerk who is a fan of the original solid-colored pencil series.
"I love that I can sharpen these pencils and then dump the shavings into the recycling bin," she said.
According to Wilson, the newspaper-printed pencils are among the top-selling O'BON items. She said the wildlife folders and triangular pencil packs have also been popular with students.
Fernando, who set up the O'BON display in the bookstore, said they plan to have a separate area designated for recycled products in the near future.
In order to spread their message of sustainability, the San Francisco-based O'BON staff attends conventions all over the United States to advertise O'BON products. In November, they attended the Green Festival and introduced their products to several vendors including Santa Clara's Green Earth Office Supply, who later ordered the wildlife pencil series.
O'BON has been also garnering national attention. Sustainable Planet, aPlatinum Broadcasting Co. TV series that promotes environmental sustainability through "green" business models, wants to include O'BON in their upcoming series about environmentally-friendly school supplies. The show will air twice nationally and 48 times regionally on ABC Family and Oxygen starting in mid-summer.
Davis said he hopes the series will "really appeal to wholesalers and office supply distributors" and give O'BON more name recognition in the industry.
To Davis, running this company isn't solely about making money— it's about the desire to make a great, sustainable product.
"From an environmental standpoint, business is a big problem because it's so profit-driven," said Davis, whose staff is willing to volunteer its time and skills for the experience, not a paycheck.
"This is why we've worked so hard," said Adam "Sandy" Sandoval, 24, an SF State kinesiology major and customer relations director for O'BON. "We know it could eventually get big."
In Asia, much of the money O'BON products brings in is used to hold demonstrations at elementary and middle schools. These presentations aim to educate students about the environment and the importance of choosing sustainably-made products.
The company is still new, but Davis said he hopes to start holding demonstrations here later this year.
"We [plan to] go into schools and say, 'This is what we do, this is what we sell, [and] let us tell you why this is better [than the average product],'" Davis said. "We can educate the world and change the mindsets of people through kids."
Allie Schratz is a regular contributor to XPress. She can be reached at aschratz AT sfsu DOT edu
http://www.greenseduction.com/obon-eco-friendly-pencils-and-notebooks-review/
Product Review: O’BON Eco-Friendly Pencils and Notebooks December 22, 2009 by Jacob · 1 Comment
School and office supplies are an essential, must-have item for almost every home. Unfortunately, what we do not realize when we’re purchasing supplies is how wasteful they can be. In addition, there’s nothing worse then coming home from the store, using that new pencil or pad of paper, and realizing it’s not the quality you hoped for. If you’re one of those people who likes either eco-friendly products, or lasting products (or maybe even both!), then we have a line of products that will be absolutely perfect for you: O’BON.
O’BON is a company that makes eco-friendly, environmentally-conscious, durable and unique school/office supplies. O’BON is a company based in the United States that aims to create high-quality, environmentally-responsible and affordable products. Here at Green Seduction, we have been fortunate enough to have an opportunity to try out several O’BON products, and we were both impressed and inspired!
First, we tried out the O’BONanza Series – Color Pencil Set. These pencils are made from recycled newspaper. The vibrant and creative design on the packaging caught our eye right away. Then, as we opened the package we realized the box was innovatively designed, unlike most colored-pencil boxes. There is another box inside the main box that slides out, displaying and holding the environmentally themed pencils so they do not fall out all over the place and make a mess. As per the quality, the pencils were wonderful! They wrote smoothly, and the colors were lustrous. We also loved that the pencils were creatively named after fruit – and their color mirrored that of the fruit as well!
Next, we tried O’BON’s non-colored pencils. Yet again we were impressed with the artistic and inventive packaging and design. In addition, the pencils seemed to be extremely durable, and we were impressed with their smooth writing as we were with the colored pencils.
Finally, we tried O’BON’s Birds Series A5 Spiral Notebook. The notebook sports a really cool and vibrant-looking wild bird feather design, which we have never before seen on a notebook. It also is marked with a “Protect Wildlife” logo. In addition, all the paper inside was made from recycled cardstock. We were really impressed with the quality of the paper, as our pen did not seep through the paper, like it usually does with other brands of paper. The notebook was a great size, as it could easily fit into a backpack, bag or purse.
Overall, we were utterly impressed with the O’BON products we tried. They were ingeniously designed (both inside and out) and are completely eco-friendly. Not only did O’BON succeed in creating superior products, but they have really made a positive impact on the planet through their environmentally-conscious practices.
School and office supplies are an essential, must-have item for almost every home. Unfortunately, what we do not realize when we’re purchasing supplies is how wasteful they can be. In addition, there’s nothing worse then coming home from the store, using that new pencil or pad of paper, and realizing it’s not the quality you hoped for. If you’re one of those people who likes either eco-friendly products, or lasting products (or maybe even both!), then we have a line of products that will be absolutely perfect for you: O’BON.
O’BON is a company that makes eco-friendly, environmentally-conscious, durable and unique school/office supplies. O’BON is a company based in the United States that aims to create high-quality, environmentally-responsible and affordable products. Here at Green Seduction, we have been fortunate enough to have an opportunity to try out several O’BON products, and we were both impressed and inspired!
First, we tried out the O’BONanza Series – Color Pencil Set. These pencils are made from recycled newspaper. The vibrant and creative design on the packaging caught our eye right away. Then, as we opened the package we realized the box was innovatively designed, unlike most colored-pencil boxes. There is another box inside the main box that slides out, displaying and holding the environmentally themed pencils so they do not fall out all over the place and make a mess. As per the quality, the pencils were wonderful! They wrote smoothly, and the colors were lustrous. We also loved that the pencils were creatively named after fruit – and their color mirrored that of the fruit as well!
Next, we tried O’BON’s non-colored pencils. Yet again we were impressed with the artistic and inventive packaging and design. In addition, the pencils seemed to be extremely durable, and we were impressed with their smooth writing as we were with the colored pencils.
Finally, we tried O’BON’s Birds Series A5 Spiral Notebook. The notebook sports a really cool and vibrant-looking wild bird feather design, which we have never before seen on a notebook. It also is marked with a “Protect Wildlife” logo. In addition, all the paper inside was made from recycled cardstock. We were really impressed with the quality of the paper, as our pen did not seep through the paper, like it usually does with other brands of paper. The notebook was a great size, as it could easily fit into a backpack, bag or purse.
Overall, we were utterly impressed with the O’BON products we tried. They were ingeniously designed (both inside and out) and are completely eco-friendly. Not only did O’BON succeed in creating superior products, but they have really made a positive impact on the planet through their environmentally-conscious practices.
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/6e5b90a9#/6e5b90a9/24
Saving trees one pencil at a time
Saving trees one pencil at a time
It has been a gorgeous spring in southwestern Pennsylvania! I am blessed to be able to look out my office window and, rather than seeing cement block office buildings, see trees. Big, beautiful trees.
Thinking that trees are cut down everyday to accommodate our excessiveness disturbs me. That's why I spend the extra dollars to buy 100% recycled copy paper from Staples, 100% recycled paper towels and other products that save a tree or two.
It's also why I was excited to find out about a company called O'BON™. You may remember my mentioning this company in a post last week in reference to Arbor Day, because O'BON™ makes a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation with every purchase.
O'BON™, which means "Oh Good" in French, provides consumers with an eco-friendly alternative to standard school and office supplies. For instance, their trademark product from the company's inception was their pencil, made from newspaper rather than wood. Because newspaper is more durable than wood, the graphite inside the pencil is better protected which makes the pencil longer-lasting (2-3 times longer, in fact) than your conventional #2 pencil. Plus, there is no harm to the environment during the production process.
In addition to being eco-friendly, the pencils are quite simply cool. I love the design of the pencils I received, and the unique triangular box they came in. Plus, writing with them is delightful. One downside is the lack of an eraser. The aesthetic beauty of these writing instruments isn't marred by the metal clasp and rubber eraser found on standard pencils. The O'BON™ pencils are different, and that's the way they like them. Of course, you can always purchase erasers at your local office supplies store and you're all set. By buying the O'BON™ pencils, which come in packs of 10 and are available in a variety of designs, you are helping to combat deforestation. It may seem like a little thing, but remember, the little things we do all make a difference!Okay, back to the paper issue. In addition to these amazing pencils, O'BON™ also produces paper from sugarcane. This sugarcane paper, known as "Bagasse" is one of the most exciting products I've come across in a long time! Did you ever wonder what happens to the pulp left over after the juices have been extracted to make sugar? It usually gets burned. O'BON™ is one of the companies that's making this renewable resource even more, well, resourceful. By converting the pulp into paper, they're saving trees and protecting wildlife. I'm really happy with the sturdiness of the paper in the spiral-bound O'BON™ notebook that I have. It has a smooth surface to write on and it just makes me really happy to know it's made from the "waste" of a sugarcane plant.This month, in honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day, O'BON™ is offering readers of my blog a 15% off discount on regularly priced products. Simply go to their website, place an order and type in the coupon code "greengrandma" at check out.You really have to check out their product line. Regular support of eco-friendly companies is just one way to go green and what better month to do so than in April?
Keeping it green,
Hana
Posted by Green grandma
Labels: deforestation, eco-friendly, Green Grandma, O’BON, Paper made from sugarcane, Pencils made from newspaper
It has been a gorgeous spring in southwestern Pennsylvania! I am blessed to be able to look out my office window and, rather than seeing cement block office buildings, see trees. Big, beautiful trees.
Thinking that trees are cut down everyday to accommodate our excessiveness disturbs me. That's why I spend the extra dollars to buy 100% recycled copy paper from Staples, 100% recycled paper towels and other products that save a tree or two.
It's also why I was excited to find out about a company called O'BON™. You may remember my mentioning this company in a post last week in reference to Arbor Day, because O'BON™ makes a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation with every purchase.
O'BON™, which means "Oh Good" in French, provides consumers with an eco-friendly alternative to standard school and office supplies. For instance, their trademark product from the company's inception was their pencil, made from newspaper rather than wood. Because newspaper is more durable than wood, the graphite inside the pencil is better protected which makes the pencil longer-lasting (2-3 times longer, in fact) than your conventional #2 pencil. Plus, there is no harm to the environment during the production process.
In addition to being eco-friendly, the pencils are quite simply cool. I love the design of the pencils I received, and the unique triangular box they came in. Plus, writing with them is delightful. One downside is the lack of an eraser. The aesthetic beauty of these writing instruments isn't marred by the metal clasp and rubber eraser found on standard pencils. The O'BON™ pencils are different, and that's the way they like them. Of course, you can always purchase erasers at your local office supplies store and you're all set. By buying the O'BON™ pencils, which come in packs of 10 and are available in a variety of designs, you are helping to combat deforestation. It may seem like a little thing, but remember, the little things we do all make a difference!Okay, back to the paper issue. In addition to these amazing pencils, O'BON™ also produces paper from sugarcane. This sugarcane paper, known as "Bagasse" is one of the most exciting products I've come across in a long time! Did you ever wonder what happens to the pulp left over after the juices have been extracted to make sugar? It usually gets burned. O'BON™ is one of the companies that's making this renewable resource even more, well, resourceful. By converting the pulp into paper, they're saving trees and protecting wildlife. I'm really happy with the sturdiness of the paper in the spiral-bound O'BON™ notebook that I have. It has a smooth surface to write on and it just makes me really happy to know it's made from the "waste" of a sugarcane plant.This month, in honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day, O'BON™ is offering readers of my blog a 15% off discount on regularly priced products. Simply go to their website, place an order and type in the coupon code "greengrandma" at check out.You really have to check out their product line. Regular support of eco-friendly companies is just one way to go green and what better month to do so than in April?
Keeping it green,
Hana
Posted by Green grandma
Labels: deforestation, eco-friendly, Green Grandma, O’BON, Paper made from sugarcane, Pencils made from newspaper
http://www.yoyomama.ca/2009/08/bts_accessories/
Coloured Pencils from O’Bon combine green thinking with an educational edge. Made from 100% recycled newsprint, each colour is named after an animal and sports its own painted-on animal design. And while that’s all great, what we love most about them are the clean, vibrant colours, plus the fact that they’re easy to sharpen. And we’re convinced they last way longer than regular pencil crayons. But if coloured pencils aren’t on your back to school supply list, O’Bon also make also equally eco-friendly, though less fancy, regular pencils.
