|
|
|
|
|
| Q. |
Are tropical rainforest woods used in the manufacture of pencils? |
| A. |
No - Much concern, and rightly so, has been voiced in recent years concerning the reduction of the world's timber resources as seen in the depletion of the tropical rain forests in places like Brazil and Malaysia. Popular concern has been expressed at the reduction in genetic diversity of forest plants caused by the destruction of the rain forests. |
| |
For many years the Sanford Corporation has been at the forefront of the pencil industry's attempts to produce product based upon waste wood. This wood is processed into wood flour and we combine it with sufficient polymer products to enable the wood flour to be processed into fine writing instruments. As a consequence the Sanford Corporation is the world's largest manufacturer of pencils that are based upon waste wood products. |
| |
Additionally Sanford UK wood cased pencils are manufactured from wood produced from managed forests. Wood from these sources is like any other agricultural product in that it is farmed and harvested and is a totally renewable resource. |
| |
A certificate to this effect can be supplied on request. |
|
|
| Q. |
Do pencils contain lead? |
| A. |
No - This question stems from an unfortunate word association steeped in history. Originally 'pencils' were based upon sticks of Lead which were used as drawing and writing implements. Lead is a soft metal abrading easily on to surfaces leaving a greyish mark. For hundreds of years now an English invention has permitted the use of Graphite and Clay to be formed into 'leads' thereby giving the modern pencils with all of the degrees of hardness and blackness (H & B) that we now appreciate. There is therefore no Lead as such contained within pencils and in fact the Lead content is limited by law to less than 1/40th part of one percent. |
|
|
|
|
| Q. |
Does Sanford UK use PVC? |
| A. |
Yes, and the company appreciates that there have been concerns over the release of Dioxins when PVC materials are incorrectly incinerated. However we believe that taking the full life cycle of the material into account the benefits of the use of PVC far outweighs the possible environmental disadvantages. |
| |
At Sanford UK we take great care to ensure that plastic scrap is recycled as much as possible during our production process. Plastic is continually being recycled during the production of plastic parts, in addition any plastic which cannot be used in this way is as far as possible salvaged by grinding up and being sold for reclaiming. Many tonnes of plastic is saved from the waste bin in this way. |
| |
Plastic is of course derived from non-renewable sources and because of this we take every care to ensure that the most economical use is made of the plastic we buy for conversion into product. |
| |
Most Sanford UK products are disposable and we are often asked as to whether the plastic parts could be reused or re-cycled. Currently the plastics we use are the most cost effective and production efficient raw materials available for the products in which they are used. Hence wastage in the manufacturing process is kept to a minimum. In addition the plastic used is readily identifiable and will be able to be recycled easily when the current recycling initiatives are able to cope with consumer items of this nature. |
|
|
|
|
| Q. |
Does Sanford UK use unfriendly solvents? |
| A. |
No - There is no doubt that some solvents do indeed cause much damage to our planet. The current concern is connected with the solvents that are depleting the ozone layer. Sanford UK do not employ such solvents in their products and we are actively concerned to ensure that none of our suppliers do so either. |
| |
Apart from the ozone layer problems, ozone is causing trouble elsewhere much closer to home and that is in the air we breathe. Ozone many miles above us is an ally. Closer to home it is a problem and ozone production at ground level is being caused by what are called VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds). Our friend the car puts the majority of these into the atmosphere, but a large proportion is put there by industry either directly or in the products that they make and we use. Sanford UK is actively pursuing the production of solvent free pens and markers and is limiting the usage of such solvents as are currently necessary to those whose impact is considered to be slight. |
|
|
| Q. |
Is Sanford UK doing anything else on the Solvent front? |
| A. |
Yes, steadily printing of pens and markers is being moved from the heat dried/cured solvent-based inks to Ultra Violet curing printing inks. This change has the spin-off benefit that energy consumption is also being reduced. |
|
|
| Q. |
What comments can Sanford UK make concerning Genetically Modified (GM) ingredients? |
| A. |
As the company does not produce food products it can side step the issue of the rights and wrongs of GM foodstuffs. The company does however use natural products such as sugars and starches as raw materials; the suppliers of these items have given assurances that they have no GM content. |
|
|
|
|
| Q. |
What is Sanford UK's approach to the question of recycling? |
| A. |
We are all appalled at the waste which our society produces, much of it consisting of one trip packages and the like. Sanford UK have ensured that all of the cards used to display pen and marker products are produced from recycled card and that all bulk packaging is coded so as to allow easy recycling where appropriate. As noted above where possible plastic is being recycled. |
| |
In addition much of the solvent that we use for cleaning purposes is being recycled by the use of a dedicated reclamation still. |
|
|
| Q. |
What is Sanford UK's approach to the testing of its products and raw materials on Animals? |
| A. |
The Company does not test any of its products on animals. It is our opinion that sufficient raw materials are available which in the past have been tested on animals and found safe, that it is unnecessary to test additional materials or routinely retest existing items. |
|
|
| Q. |
Packaging Waste Regulations have been formulated by the European Union and UK Government, how will Sanford UK meet their obligations? |
| A. |
The company has joined VALPAK, the organisation formed to assist companies in meeting their obligations but also to promote the formation of the recycling and recovery infrastructure. Particularly with plastic packaging waste, there are little facilities available to facilitate the re-use of such materials. VALPAK, via its members contributions, will seek to address this situation prior to the millennium. |
|
|
| Q. |
Much of the above centres on products, is that the only sector where Sanford UK is working? |
| A. |
No - much work has been carried out to reduce the impact of the whole company on the environment. |
| |
Examples are numerous including:- |
| |
| a. | the recycling of ribbons from computer printers, |
| b. |
the use of re-cycled paper for letter heads and visiting cards, |
| c. |
low energy lighting, |
| d. |
use of journey planning software so as to use the most economical routing, |
| e. |
incorporation of settlement pits into effluent streams to reduce suspended solids passing to sewers, |
| f. |
attention to the easy separation of materials so as to promote recycling by the use of peelable labels, and water based varnishes. |
| g. |
accreditation to the Environmental Management System standard ISO 14001 |
|
|
| |
Featured Products
Koloron
Colouring Products
Handhuggers
Writing Instruments
Pencils
Markers
Glass Paints & Markers
Drywipe & Accessories
Pastels
Textiles
Paints
Adhesives
Accessories
Scissors
About Berol
Sanford UK Product FAQ
