Smencils – Gourmet Scented Pencils
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island 
on 12.14.05
Last week, Grist Magazine turned us on to Smencils and we were intrigued from the start. These fun pencils are made from layers of 100% recycled newspapers that you can actually see when you sharpen them. The first step to making Smencils is wrapping the #2 graphite cores very tightly with the newspapers. After they harden they are soaked in environmentally-friendly fragrances and a biodegradable eraser is attached. The Smencils are individually-packaged to keep their scent, however, they are guaranteed to keep their scent for two years, in or out of the “Freshness Tube.” Hmm… that means we’re not sure what they’re for, but the tubes are made from recycled plastic. We like their tagline, “Saving trees…one pencil at a time.” Via ::Grist Magazine ::Smencils
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I'm bothered by this type of treehugger-ness. It's a wonderful idea that they recycle newspapers to make pencils, i'll give them that. The part i take issue with is packaging each individual pencil in a plastic tube. Sure, the tubes are made from recycled plastic, but most people that buy it are just going to toss it away, so we're really no better off. I say, skip the freshness tube, and just make bulk boxes of them. I'll buy two.
I do agree that it's a step forward, i just wish practical would overrule neat.
Actually, the recycled plastic containers probably have a practical use-preventing the scents from mixing. Imagine opening your boxed order & smelling bubblegum-cookiedough-rootbeer-peppermint smencils. Uh, that doesn't sound very appealing. That aside, I know I would reuse the packaging in hopes of extending the life of the yummy scents they come in. :)