Envirozen Malaysia offers plantable pens made from recycled materials to help cut plastic waste sustainably.

PETALING JAYA: What usually ends up in the bin after the ink runs out is now being transformed into something that can grow and be repurposed, thanks to a local brand offering “plantable pens” as a green alternative.

In an exclusive interview with theSun, Envirozen Malaysia founder and CEO Shalenee Puva said the idea behind the plantable pen stems from the massive amount of plastic waste generated by conventional pens.

“Almost everyone uses a pen and most pens are made of plastic. Imagine how much plastic waste is generated when these are thrown away.

“Envirozen is tackling this issue by introducing plantable pens, which could reduce plastic waste by up to 90%. Pens are always in demand, making this both a sustainable business and an environmentally friendly solution,” she said.

With Malaysia estimated to generate more than one million tonnes of post-consumer plastic waste annually according to WWF-Malaysia, and with national strategies in place to eliminate single-use plastics by 2030, these plantable pens offer a simple way for consumers to reduce waste while promoting sustainable habits.

Shalenee said by turning a simple everyday item into a sustainable alternative, she aims to encourage Malaysians to rethink how even small actions can contribute to reducing environmental waste.

“I wanted to create a world free of plastic, so I’m exploring alternatives to everyday plastic products. As a chemical engineer, I understand the impact plastics have on our country, which is why I wanted to make a change.

“Plantable pens are a great start to support this larger vision,” she said.

According to Shalenee, once the ink runs out, users can simply plant the bottom of the pen, where the seeds are embedded, into a small pot or garden.

The pens come with four types of seeds – tomato, brinjal, radish and spinach.

She said based on research and user feedback, plants usually sprout within two weeks.

“Designed with sustainability in mind, these seed pens are made from recycled paper, with almost all parts biodegradable except for the ink tube. Research and development is ongoing to make the tube fully biodegradable as well,” she said.

On balancing affordability with sustainability, Shalenee said the key is making the products accessible to more people.

“Affordable products attract more customers, as they feel (justified) when spending on reasonably priced items.

“Especially when you’re on a mission to revolutionise the world, affordability is crucial to spread the message and reach more customers. Our business will eventually sustain itself.”

Shalenee said the seed pen is designed to transform how people view and use everyday plastic items, turning a product that would normally be discarded into something which has a positive environmental impact.

She highlighted that Malaysians have responded positively to the concept of a pen that can be planted after use, with most customers drawn to the planting process while others appreciate the quality and enjoy writing with it.

“We are committed to a more sustainable world, with our zero waste initiative, including plantable seed pens, school and office talks and biodegradable products repurposed as animal feedstock.”

 The Sun Malaysia