In Australia alone it’s estimated that 140 million pens end up in landfill every single year, while globally over 10 billion plastic pens are thrown out each year.
Enter Left-handesign, a plantable stationery brand that aims to overhaul the environmental impact of single-use plastic stationery one pen at a time.
“My previous experience in the hospitality industry was an eye-opening experience in the mountains of unnecessary waste we produce as a society,” says founder, Radhika Mayani.
“The amount of waste in various sectors from food to toiletries is incredibly distressing to me. I launched Left-handesign as a response to the lack of inroads by the stationery industry to be more environmentally friendly. As a lover of nature and stationery, it made sense to combine the two to create Left-handesign.”
Each item from Left-handesign’s collection including business cards, pens, notebooks and greeting cards can be grown into a lush and beautiful plant. Popular choices include tomatoes, Morning Glory, spinach, mustard, fenugreek and more. All seeds are fair-trade and organic.
“We are trying to propagate a ‘use and grow’ mentality instead of ‘use and throw’. Inspired by the beauty of nature, each of our products are thoughtfully designed to ensure they are zero-waste, practical and, of course, gorgeous.”
So far, the brand’s eco initiatives have prevented 443,505 grams of plastic waste from ending up in landfill through the sales of its pens and pencils alone.
The Singapore-based brand is also currently undertaking a B Corp assessment to better align itself with Australian corporate conditions.
“It has been a challenge to create a viable business where the emphasis is on products that are created for the circular economy, but our brand’s success shows there is real appetite for solutions that address the ecological devastation of existing industries,” Mayani adds.
“The beauty of merging sustainability with stationery is that every product tells a story―a tale of love for our planet and a commitment to its wellbeing. I’ve always believed that if your passions are aligned with purpose, no challenge is insurmountable. To be able to build a business that honours our planet is a true blessing.”
