Where others see waste, we see raw materials
Waste is generated even with modern manufacturing processes. Consequently, waste management is an integral part of our operations. Materials arising as waste during production are collected and—wherever technically and economically feasible—routed to appropriate recovery or disposal channels.
Established procedures are in place for the separation, collection, and subsequent handling of plastics, packaging, and inks. This applies not only to production but also to administrative areas; at our office locations, waste is sorted and directed to the designated disposal or recovery pathways.
Responsible innovation
Our Research and Development team is responsible for developing new edding products and enhancing existing ones, as well as for the necessary testing that all our products undergo prior to mass production. This includes, among other things, tests for durability, shelf life, lightfastness, and writing performance.
We aim to gradually replace conventional plastic materials in our standard products with secondary raw materials wherever possible—whether in the product as a whole or in specific components. Since post-consumer recycled material is currently available in the required quality only in black and various shades of gray, we are specifically working on replacing virgin plastic with recycled material in the black and gray plastic parts of our standard products. Product design focuses not only on plastic components but also—and particularly—on the inks, which must meet stringent quality requirements. They need to adhere to a wide variety of surfaces while offering high color brilliance and being either permanent or erasable—all while using the fewest possible ingredients, which must be non-toxic. Water (approx. 41%) and alcohol (approx. 36%) are the primary solvents used. The remaining ~23% of solvents are used in specialty inks and vary depending on customer requirements or specific demands regarding durability and surface types.
Your contribution to the recycling cycle
Order a return box for empty markers
We offer free collection boxes for empty, non-refillable markers to companies, public authorities, schools, and other institutions. The collected markers are subsequently sent for recycling.
The collection box enables the separate collection of used markers for recycling.
Materials recovered during the recycling process are processed and returned to the materials cycle.
At edding, it's traditional to refill!
Refilling is a tradition at edding, not just a passing trend; edding has been selling refillable products for almost as long as it’s been in business. Currently, around 70% of our products are refillable; these include our permanent, whiteboard and flipchart markers. Furthermore, our highlighters, brilliant paper markers and a range of other edding writing implements can also be refilled.
Thanks to our refill systems, you can extend the life of a whole host of edding markers with total ease. Not only is this a great way of helping to reduce waste, it also saves on plastic used in the manufacturing of new markers. Oh, and it’s also easier on your wallet!
The edding refill systems
Why are there two different systems?
Different refill mechanisms are needed depending on the design of each marker. Markers with screw-on mouthpieces can usually be refilled using either system. Other markers must be refilled using the capillary system. Ultimately, your choice of system will often come down to personal preference.
The capillary system
If you’re using the capillary system, simply stand the marker tip-down in the refill ink bottle for at least an hour, ideally overnight. The marker will refill automatically and can then be used again.
The drop system
The drop system is especially designed for fast refills. Simply unscrew the marker’s mouthpiece and dispense drops of the refill ink into the open barrel with the pipette provided. Depending on how empty the marker is, you’ll usually need 1–2 ml (approx. 50–100 drops) of ink to refill it. For thicker models, you may need around 4–6 ml (approx. 200–300 drops). You can use the pen again as soon as you’ve replaced the mouthpiece. Quick as a flash!
Keeping it going with every refill – step by step:
- Unscrew the marker’s mouthpiece in order to use the drop dispenser system OR, to use the capillary system, remove the cap and stand the marker tip-down in the refill bottle.
- Dispense drops of ink into the marker barrel OR wait until the product has filled up from the capillary refill bottle.
- Screw the mouthpiece of the refilled marker back on OR remove the refilled marker from the refill bottle and replace the cap.
- Carry on writing!