To explore the ecological footprint of a modern high-school student.
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Ballpoint Pen
The humble ballpoint pen is an ever-present element of a student's day-to-day life. Typically constructed from synthetic polymers, the outer shell houses an internal chamber filled with a viscous ink, which is dispensed by the action of a metal "ball".
Typically a student will opt for disposable pens, in which pens are cheaply made from plastics and are disposed of when the ink is consumed. Refillable ballpoint pens result in the disposal of less plastic material from the outer shell and are able to be restocked by placing a new ink reservoir into the pen.
These ballpoint pens are typically disposed of in regular waste bins - keep in mind that these can be recycled. Most pens are now made of thermoplastics, meaning they can be melted and reformed after usage.
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