Wooden pens sign up for sustainability

With a start-up loan of just R50, a group of post-graduate diploma students in Enterprise Management at UCT have launched a line of wooden pens, asking students to “sign your name for sustainability.”

Team members of Woot Pens, a combination of wood and root respectively, showed off their designs on the 8th of August at the Vodacom Young Entrepreneurs Product event. The theme of the project asked student groups to create an eco-friendly product aimed at the student market that has never been seen before in South Africa.

The students, Jo Chevalier, Tamsyn Wight, Conor McComb, Ropa Shoko, Hein Bester, Dylan Norton and Machon du Toit come from different academic disciplines, and had to use their individual skills to make their joint product work.

“Everyone uses a pen, but Woot Pens are very relevant now because everyone is looking for sustainable products,” said Chevalier.

Fully committed to the idea of sustainability, the group decided to use Meranti wood. While other woods may be “prettier” and more popular, the cost to make a pen from Meranti is not only cheaper (R30 each), but more importantly, uses far less energy and resources during the production process.

The rustic look and feel of the pen plus its low price tag is proving quite a hit in the student market. On the day of the launch, Woot Pens were sold out with orders in the bag. “The response to the tactility has been really good. When people touch it, they like how it feels,” said Chevalier.

As the pens gain popularity, the Woot group has started to reach out to other markets, including companies who can customize the pens for corporate gifting. As it turns out, the overseas market is just as eager for a sustainable option.

“I have a British friend who saw it online, who wants to do sales in Britain for us. She’s crazy about it!” said Wight.

Though the response has been considerable, these brainkids are excited about more than just financial returns. “Its not about success or making the most money… its about the experience that you get,” said du Toit.

To learn more or order pens, visit the Woot Pens website, Facebook, and Twitter

Image 1: The Woot Pens shown in recycled paper sleeves.
Image 2: All Woot Pens are completely customizable for individual branding.
Image 3: The pen is made of Meranti wood and recycled plastic.

(All images courtesy of Woot Pens)