5 Eco-Friendly Notebooks

1. Pocket Notebook | Scout Books | Portland, Oregon

My personal choice will probably be this pocket notebook by Scout Books because it is made nearby me from one-hundred percent recycled materials and is itself completely recyclable. Scout Books also uses vegetable-based inks, sources all of their raw materials from the United States and uses equipment powered by renewable energy. Win. I like this small size because it can fit in a pocket or small purse without weighing you down. To accommodate a whole years' worth of scheduled days, you'll need about three packs of three or you can get set for a couple years with this pack of fifty featuring beautiful black staples. When finished with one notebook, you can simply throw the whole thing in the recycle bin and move on to the next.

2. Vintage Exercise Book | Mighty Paper Shop | Berlin, Germany

These vintage exercise books from the Mighty Paper Shop are stunning with subtle wear and simple stitching. They are also pocket-sized and very slim to keep your load light. For a years worth of planning, you'll need to buy twenty and probably a few others to supplement. There's nothing like taking on the world's problems using historical tools! To dispose of these you can compost the thread and recycle the pages or just keep them because they're so beautiful.

3. Recycled Notebook | Collective | Launceston, Australia

These notebooks have a very similar design to the Scout Books but they are handmade in Australia with recycled paper, have more lines and square corners as opposed to rounded. They are slim and sleek and this twenty pack should do you well for a year. Recycle the whole thing when it's complete!

4. Bird Pattern | Bird Plus Bird | Wellington, New Zealand

I love how this bird patterned notebook from Bird Plus Bird is both reminiscent of vintage scientific drawings and also simplistic modern design. The natural line drawings add an organic element while the achromatic palette keeps the notebook timeless. This notebook is made from one hundred percent recycled paper and a bit of thread. To dispose of it, I would either frame the cover or use it as wrapping paper for a small present, compost the thread, and recycle the pages. It's a little larger than the previous notebooks in case you need extra room for side notes and details. For a years worth of room, I would buy about three, or try out a new one when the first is completed!

5. Arrows | Sasha Kretova | Helsinki, Finland

This design is also a bit larger than pocket size (5.8 inches x 8.3 inches) and what I love about it is that the unique binding allows it to lay flat when opened. Sasha Kretova is committed to making things using simple design and sustainable practices, using one hundred percent recycled paper, natural thread and recycled shipping materials. She also has a neat and tidy blog you should read with organization tips including how to boost your productivity. To cover a year, I would buy about two of these or three of the pocket size. They can be responsibly discarded by recycling the pages and composting the thread.

Stay tuned for part two this week on how to use them as hourly planners!

Credits: All images belong to their respective companies.