Mercedes Pens Helping Those in Spain Learn English

The Mercedes Pens art car was just published in the latest English work book called “Contrast” by Burlington Books for students in Spain who are learning English.

The student is asked to read the story about the pen Guy and the Mercedes pens and then write a 60-80 summary. Here is my summary in less that 26 words: “Not only am I doing my part to collect old used pens from around the world, I am now helping others learn English, Pretty Cool”

Mercedes Pens Helping Those in Foreign Countries Learn English

Mercedes Pens Helping Those in Foreign Countries Learn English

The Pen Guy Receives 30,000 Pen Donation From TerraCycle

I just received one of my biggest pens donations ever last week from TerraCycle at a whopping 30,000 pens that was delivered on a pallet about 5 feet high all the way from Trenton, NJ. I will be partnering with Terracycle to create art works made from pens and sending them over as soon as I am finished.

The Pen Guy Pen Donation from TerraCycle
The Pen Guy and His Pen Donation from TerraCycle

Their goal is to help eliminate the idea of waste by creating collection and solution programs for all kinds of typically non-recyclable waste. In essence they turn the non-recyclable recyclable by creating waste collection programs, “brigades,” and turning the collected waste into new products, ranging from recycled park benches to upcycled backpacks.

Since my last post back in December I  have received more used pens in the mail at my PO BOX and from local thrift stores collected locally so I wanted to take a moment and play catch up and thank every one and their mother for all the wonderful pens that came in.

The Pen Guy Pen Donation from TerraCycle
The Pen Guy and His Pen Donation from TerraCycl

A Big Thanks Goes to:

Misty over a Photo Lab a certified green company who will be sending all their sharpies & highlighters. They offer complete pro lab services to professional photographers throughout the United States and around the world.

The Pen Guy Pen Donation - Recycle Pens
Pen Donation From Photo Lab

Jane from 1promotionalproducts.com for a box of about 1500 working rejects from a promotional products and apparel company in Utah. Lots of Gel pens that are now everywhere:)

The Pen Guy - Pen Donation - Recycle Pens
Pen Donation From 1promotionalproducts

Pen Donations from the USA

  • Someone over at Boston Scientific 
  • Marie. D, Salem NH
  • Henry Ford Hospital Detroit, MI
  • Morehouse San Anselmo, CA
  • Stephani N. Maspeth, NY
  • Amanda L. Los Altos, CA
  • Bill and Louise M, Sebatopol, CA
  • Jamie S. Arlington, VA
  • Anyone else not mentioned who sent in pens the last three months
The Pen Guy - Pen Donation - Recycle Pens

The Pen Guy - Pen Donation - Recycle Pens

The Pen Guy - Pen Donation - Recycle Pens

The Pen Guy - Pen Donation - Recycle Pens

The Pen Guy - Pen Donation - Recycle Pens

The Pen Guy - Pen Donation - Recycle Pens
Pen Donation from the Green Gremlins in NY, NY
The Pen Guy - Pen Donation - Recycle Pens
Pen Donation from Louise P. Ashlan, OR

The Pen Guy - Pen Donation - Recycle Pens
Pen Donation from Klein, Levittown, PA

The Pen Guy - Pen Donation - Recycle Pens

Pen Donations from Overseas

The Pen Guy - Pen Donation - Recycle Pens
Pen Donation from Nicola, Kent, England

The Pen Guy - Pen Donation - Recycle Pens
Pen Donations From Ashley, Glasgow, Scotland

4 Good Reason Used Pens Don’t Work Well in this Photoshoot

4 Good Reason Used Pens Don't Work Well in Photoshoot - Used pens donated to the pen guy
4 Good Reason Used Pens Don’t Work Well in this Photoshoot

I just received two packages of used pens, a bunch from my friend Don R. in Hastings, Nebraska today, and a bunch of pens from S. Wilner in New York about two weeks ago just in time for Christmas. I decided to have some fun tonight and do a impromptu photo-shoot while holding a bunch of used pens in each hand. I am looking at these photos and I must admit that pens just dont work as a good prop. Even though I think this shoot was a complete failure, I am thankful for getting these awesome pens to add to my one million pen project.

Pentel Pens Just In – Recycology™ program explained

Pentel Super Ball, Fine Superball and Quickball Pens Donated by Pentel to The Pen Guy
Pentel Super Ball, Fine Superball and Quickball Pens Donated by Pentel to The Pen Guy

On one my recent meanderings I landed on Pentel’s page called Recycology™, a program created to enhance their mission of helping the environment by creating less waste and increasing recycling activity. They are focused on protecting the environment at all stages of manufacturing by creating products that used both recycled content and post-consumer recycled content. All their products in this line are made from a minimum of 50% recycled content excluding consumable content and refills…cool!

I decided to take a chance and contact them about maybe sending me some old expired empty pens laying around the office and lo and behold they emailed me back:) Nicole from the Marketing department emailed me and said they had recently done some remodeling and there was a pile of empty pens with my name on them. I got two boxes of Pentel Super Ball pens, a box of Pentel Fine Superball and a box of Pentel Quickball pens and they came in the mail within days!!!.

Here is what Nicole said to me:

Hi Costas! We know exactly who you are! We have visited your blog and have seen your work. We think it is super witty and creative!

Honestly I was a little freaked about the  “we know exactly who you are” line but getting the pens in the mail was well worth it. Its nice to know The Pen Guy and the Mercedes Pens project has had such a positive impact and that is why I will continue to collect empty pens.

3 Great Reasons to Donate Used Pens to The Pen Guy

There are 3 Great Reasons to Donate Used Pens to The Pen Guy

  1. You feel good about getting rid of all those used pens
  2. You make room for new pens to take their place
  3. I post pictures of your used pens on my site.

Thank you all for the amazing batch of used pens donated from Salt Lake City, Utah, San Marcos, California and Sharon Hill, PA. The pen Guy is a happy camper on this beautiful clear cold day.

Donated used pens from Salt Lake City, Utah
Donated used pens from Salt Lake City, Utah

Donated used pens from San Marcos, California
Donated used pens from San Marcos, California

Donated used pens from Sharon Hill, PA - Anjoli S.
Donated used pens from Sharon Hill, PA – Anjoli S.