By replacing wood with honeycombed paper, the Hollow Pencil presents an absolutely audacious redesign of perhaps one of the most 'classically perfect' inventions of all time. Pencils haven't changed much in hundreds of years. They still come wrapped in wood with a graphite lead running along the center. The preferred cross-section is usually hexagonal, but
      • sabreW4K3@lazysoci.alOPEnglish
        1·
        12 小时前

        Haha. Recycling is good, but it feels contrived to use plastic for pencils. Surely hemp is a better alternative?

        • Libb@piefed.socialEnglish
          2·
          11 小时前

          This is an interesting consideration as, once again as a pencil (and a Bic pen, and fountain pen) user myself, I have always wondered what was worse between cutting trees (or reusing hemp, which is a also a plant) to make the casing, or reusing some sort of already wasted material instead of throwing it away.

          I mean that very seriously as all techniques do require a lot of energy to get to the result they want to achieve. That energy is to me the real ecological issue: the one that is costing less energy should be favorited.

          Personally, I much prefer wooden pencils there is not the hint of the beginning of a doubt about that (and I pay good money to buy quality ones) but I would change and get rid of my ‘preference’ in a heartbeat if there was data showing something else was a better choice energy-wise. Be it recycled plastic, or cannabis, or that really interesting & intriguing concept showcased in the OP.

          • sabreW4K3@lazysoci.alOPEnglish
            2·
            11 小时前

            I asked AI for it’s take.

            spoiler

            When comparing hemp and recycled plastic for pencil manufacturing in terms of energy use, hemp generally appears to be the more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly option. Here’s a breakdown based on available information: Hemp Pencils:

            • Lower Energy for Production: Several sources suggest that producing hemp plastic (which would be used for the pencil body) requires significantly less energy than conventional fossil-fuel-based plastics. One source states it requires “22-45% less energy than non-renewable energy source based items.”
            • Carbon Sequestration: Hemp plants absorb a large amount of carbon dioxide during their growth cycle (four times more than trees, according to one source). This carbon is then sequestered within the plant material, making hemp-based products potentially “carbon-negative” or at least carbon-neutral over their life cycle, which further offsets energy use in the broader environmental impact.
            • Biodegradability: While not directly about energy use, the biodegradability of hemp plastic means it doesn’t persist in the environment, avoiding the energy costs associated with landfill management or complex recycling processes at the end of its life.
            • Minimal Processing: The manufacturing and formulation of hemp-based materials can be “exceptionally energy efficient since it can be done with little to no heavy machinery and does not require many steps.” Recycled Plastic Pencils:
            • Energy Savings Compared to Virgin Plastic: It’s important to note that recycled plastic does offer significant energy savings compared to producing pencils from virgin plastic. Manufacturing recycled plastic uses lower amounts of energy compared to conventional plastic production. For example, recycled PET, HDPE, and PP require significantly less expended energy than their virgin counterparts.
            • Still Energy-Intensive: While better than virgin plastic, the recycling process itself still requires energy for collection, sorting, cleaning, melting, and reforming the plastic.
            • Potential for Downcycling: Recycled plastic can sometimes be “downcycled,” meaning it’s used to create products of lower quality, which might limit its circularity and necessitate the introduction of new virgin materials over time, incurring more energy use. Comparison Summary: Hemp has the potential for a significantly lower energy footprint throughout its life cycle, from cultivation (which actively sequesters carbon) to manufacturing and eventual decomposition. The energy required for growing and processing hemp is often less intensive and relies on renewable biological processes. While recycled plastic is a good step towards reducing the environmental impact of plastics by reusing existing materials and saving energy compared to virgin plastic production, it still involves an industrial process that consumes energy. Conclusion: Based on current information regarding energy consumption, hemp would likely be the more energy-efficient choice for manufacturing pencils when compared directly to recycled plastic. The ability of hemp to sequester carbon, its less energy-intensive processing, and its biodegradability give it a strong advantage in terms of overall energy footprint and environmental impact.

            But the fact that it’s a lower energy cost in production plus the waste (from sharpening) is biodegradable, it’s way better to invest. Plastic recycling has its place, but I don’t believe it’s in replacing most organic materials, like pencils.

            Anyway, thank you @Libb@piefed.social I wouldn’t have looked into this without your prompting. 🤩

            • Libb@piefed.socialEnglish
              2·
              11 小时前

              Thank you. It’s your ‘FFS’ that triggered the whole discussion ;)

              The answer should also take into consideration the place of extraction/growth of the raw material (and the cost of getting it and storing it, using whatever tools are required), its shipping to the pencil manufacturing plant, how it should be handled and processed maybe. And a few other things like that but, yeah, I would not be surprised if plastic was not the best choice there was.

              I would not have thought about asking AI myself because, well, I’m not much into using them. partly because, I don’t like the world their owners are trying to make a reality, partly because they consume so much energy.

              • sabreW4K3@lazysoci.alOPEnglish
                1·
                11 小时前

                To be honest, I hate how we’ve got AI, but the ability to contextualise data is brilliant. It’s just a shame it’s controlled by these greedy corporations who would rather seek a profit than improve the world.