Sustainability & Environment
Making responsible choices about the products we produce
We supply planners, exercise books and learning resources to schools across the UK, so we recognise that the materials we use, the way products are produced and how long they last all have an environmental impact.
Our approach is to balance sustainability with something equally important: making products that are practical, durable and fit for everyday school use.
A product that lasts the full academic year can help avoid unnecessary replacement. Choosing materials with recycled content or from responsibly managed sources is another way we can take environmental considerations into account without compromising the quality schools need.
From UK-based manufacturing to paper sourcing, recycled protective covers and waste management, we aim to make practical, responsible choices throughout our operations.
UK-based production and supply
Approximately 99% of Penstripe products are manufactured in the UK, with the remaining 1% manufactured in Europe.
UK manufacturing is an important part of how we operate. It allows us to work closely with production teams, maintain visibility over the manufacturing process and support schools with products developed around their requirements.
Manufacturing the vast majority of our products in the UK can also reduce the distance that finished goods need to travel compared with sourcing equivalent products from further afield, although the overall environmental impact depends on the materials, production methods and transport involved.
Our UK-based team supports customers through quotation, artwork and production, helping to keep the process straightforward from initial enquiry through to delivery.
Responsible paper and materials
Paper is one of the most important materials in the products we supply, so responsible sourcing matters.
Our student planners, teacher planners and exercise books are produced using paper and board sourced as FSC- or PEFC-certified materials.
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) are recognised certification systems associated with responsible forest management and the sourcing of forest-based materials.
Penstripe purchases paper and board from certified sources but does not itself hold FSC or PEFC certification. We therefore distinguish between the sourcing credentials of the materials we buy and certification of Penstripe or the finished products.
Alongside paper and board, we use recycled materials in our protective covers, helping us consider both the durability and material composition of the finished product.
Where schools have specific environmental or procurement requirements, our team can discuss the available paper, cover and product options when preparing a quotation.
Products designed to last
Sustainability is not only about what a product is made from. How long it lasts matters too.
Our planners and exercise books are designed around regular school use, including being carried in bags, handled throughout the school day and used over the academic year.
Our planner ranges can include secure spiral binding, ToughBind and durable protective covers. Our exercise books are available with robust stitched, square-back and perfect-bound options depending on the specification required.
Our polypropylene protective covers are made from 100% recycled polypropylene, combining recycled material content with the durability needed for everyday use.
Producing something that performs properly throughout its intended life can help reduce unnecessary replacement and waste.
Covers and plastic use
Some Penstripe products use polypropylene covers because of their durability and ability to protect the pages inside.
All our polypropylene protective covers are made from 100% recycled polypropylene. The material is also recyclable, although the recycling options available to individual schools will depend on local collection facilities.
We also use cardboard covers, which are recyclable.
These material choices allow us to offer different types of protection and finishes while considering the environmental characteristics of the materials used.
Durability remains an important consideration. A cover that protects a planner or book throughout the academic year can help reduce the need for premature replacement.
We encourage schools to consider both recycled content and the practical requirements of the product when choosing their specification.
Managing production waste
Reducing unnecessary waste is an important part of responsible production.
We aim to minimise waste generated through our operations and separate the waste we produce by material type.
Our waste is sorted into appropriate streams and collected for recycling.
Separating waste materials helps ensure they can be handled through suitable recycling processes rather than being mixed together unnecessarily.
This approach forms part of the practical steps we take to manage the environmental impact of our production activities.
Packaging and delivery
Packaging needs to protect products properly during transport while avoiding unnecessary material wherever possible.
All our packaging is made from recycled or recyclable materials, with the exception of the plastic used for carton strapping.
This means we can use packaging materials that help protect planners, exercise books and other printed products during delivery while considering the materials used and their potential for recycling.
Carton strapping remains an exception to our otherwise plastic-free packaging approach.
We also work with Multi-Academy Trusts and groups ordering for several schools, where delivery can be planned to individual sites rather than requiring one central location to receive and redistribute everything.
Planning distribution properly can reduce unnecessary handling and help make the delivery process more efficient.
Recycling and end-of-life
We want customers to be able to make informed decisions about what happens to products once they have reached the end of their useful life.
Different components may need to be separated before recycling. Paper pages, metal spiral bindings and plastic covers may belong in different recycling streams depending on the product and the facilities available locally.
Our polypropylene protective covers and cardboard covers are recyclable materials, although whether they are accepted will depend on the recycling services available to the school or organisation.
Where practical, separating different materials before disposal can make recycling easier.
Penstripe does not currently provide a formal product-specific recycling scheme or disposal programme, but schools can contact our team if they have questions about the materials used in a particular product.
We recommend checking local recycling guidance before disposing of mixed-material products.
Working with schools that have sustainability requirements
We know that many schools, academy trusts and public-sector organisations now consider sustainability as part of purchasing decisions.
Some may have requirements around paper sourcing, recycled content, packaging, local production or recognised environmental standards.
Our current approach includes:
- Approximately 99% UK manufacturing, with the remaining 1% in Europe
- Student planners, teacher planners and exercise books produced using paper and board sourced as FSC- or PEFC-certified materials
- 100% recycled polypropylene protective covers
- Recyclable polypropylene and cardboard cover materials
- Waste minimisation, separation by material type and collection for recycling
- Packaging made from recycled or recyclable materials, with plastic carton strapping as the exception
If your school or trust has specific sustainability requirements, tell us when requesting a quotation.
We can explain the options available for the product you are considering and confirm which requirements we can support.
Our approach to environmental claims
We believe environmental information should be clear, specific and supported by evidence.
Where we describe a material as recycled, responsibly sourced or recyclable, we aim to explain what that claim applies to rather than making broad statements about every aspect of a product.
For example, although we purchase paper and board from FSC- or PEFC-certified sources, Penstripe does not itself hold FSC or PEFC certification.
Similarly, while our protective polypropylene covers contain 100% recycled material, the recyclability of a finished product may depend on its other components and the facilities available locally.
We do not claim independent environmental accreditation for Penstripe or make unverified claims about particular inks, coatings or printing technologies.
As our products, materials and manufacturing processes develop, we will continue to review the information we provide so schools can make informed purchasing decisions.
Talk to us about sustainable product options
If sustainability forms part of your school’s purchasing requirements, speak to us before ordering.
Our team can discuss the materials, manufacturing locations, binding options, cover materials and product specifications currently available and help you identify the most appropriate option for your school or trust.
Whether you are looking for educational planners, exercise books or personalised learning resources, we can help you understand the choices available.
Telephone: 0113 231 0995
Email: info@penstripe.co.uk