“Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed”. The quote by scientist Lavoisier also shapes the marketing of sustainable companies. Bic, for example, in addition to the iconic four-colour pen that turns 53 years old and comes in many variations, participated in PTE with pens made from waste materials: polymers processed in Spain, in its own factories powered by renewable energy sources. And speaking of recovery, Silicon launched a Recycled milk carton collection: notepads and pens made from a by-product of recovered Tetrapak.

Responsor's Memo-stick repositionable note pads are also offered in an Eco version, with 100% eco-friendly, biodegradable and compostable materials, and customised with environmentally friendly, chemical-free printing. In addition to the leaflets, there are the green pens and pen holders made of cane sugar and glucose.

Giving Europe, a pioneer of the Iso 26000 certification, presented its Impression collection with catalogues split according to the percentage of eco-friendly materials used: ranging from 10-30% Eco Basic to 30-50% Eco Friendly and ending with Eco Proof, with products containing over 60% ecological materials. An example? From bamboo pens to cork and linen journals.

Maximum attention to the environment was also present for the communications at the point of sale. DP Digital Point, introduced itself at PTE with a stand completely made of Digiboard, offering totems and desks made of cardboard: environmentally friendly solutions that do not give up on their communicative impact.

G-Kappa promoted new life for waste and a no-waste philosophy by producing items (from menu holders to car policy holders) from PVC, a completely recyclable material. And in fact the recycle symbol stands out on each product to make it clear that the company does not generate waste.

Maxema goes even further with its no news, good news message to promote its pens, designed and manufactured in Italy from post-consumer recycled materials. As in: if a product is good, why throw it away?

Il Paniere Serafini also launched a very clear message on sustainability at PTE 2023, inviting people to reuse the tins/packaging of their chocolates and delicacies as storage containers for spices in the kitchen or as pen holders for the office.

On the stands there were also many products destined for a new life. After use, Promotred's paper lanyards contain seeds can be planted thus continuing their life cycle. As do the Seeds Bombs that contain coloured clay balls with seeds placed in a cardboard box that can become an earphone winder or napkin holder. And in this case sustainability is not only environmental, but also social: production is carried out by companies that support projects for the inclusion of differently abled people.

Social commitment is also back with the Polish Axpol, which also brought to PTE 2023 products it makes in Ukraine to offer practical help to the war-affected population. They are Rpet soft toys that once were bottles.