A Design Revolution, One Word at a Time DBA Launches Biodegradable Disposable Pen

NEW YORK, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Manhattan-based design group DBA is proud to announce the launch of its first product: a 98% biodegradable disposable pen. This revolutionary writing instrument is the first in what will be a series of products from DBA for the home and office.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100430/NY96765)

DBA created the pen by developing a number of environmentally safe components including a sleek injection-molded casing resembling traditional plastic but made of a derivative of potatoes, and a water-based ink that is made with food-grade ingredients. Even the packaging of the DBA pen is ecological, using minimal, chlorine-free locally-sourced materials and is both entirely recycled and recyclable. Only the high-quality rollerball nib is not biodegradable (representing the other 2%), providing a quality writing experience for the user.

"We believe in contributing to the conceptual integrity of American design," says Leon Ransmeier, design partner at DBA. "Our brand philosophy combines ecologically sound practices with refined aesthetics, as we feel the public shouldn't have to choose between the two."

The DBA pen is manufactured in upstate New York at one of the most environmentally sustainable factories in the United States. Powered by its own wind turbine and equipped with innovative heating and cooling systems that recapture excess thermal energy, the site is highly regarded in the field of carbon neutral manufacturing.

Currently 5.2 billion disposable pens are sold annually in the U.S. -- enough to wrap around the earth 18 times. These pens are typically made overseas using processes with high carbon emissions. The pens themselves are made from oil and a complex mix of materials that cannot be recycled and are therefore disposed of in landfills. The poisonous dyes and biocides used in ink leach toxic chemicals into the earth. Even the packaging, frequently PVC blister packs, contains heavy metal and chlorine and is non-recyclable.

"As an iconic object, the pen has a rich cultural history," continues Ransmeier. "We chose it as our first product because it is a tool of communication. Everyday objects can give rise to positive change."

The DBA pen will be available for sale at the Shop at Cooper-Hewitt, Project No. 8a at the Ace Hotel and via http://www.dba-co.com.

About DBA: DBA is a New York-based company founded in 2008 by creative visionary Patrick Sarkissian and RISD alumni Leon Ransmeier and Erik Wysocan with the goal of developing unique products that combine aesthetic strength, technical innovation, and ecologically effective principles. DBA's wares are distinguished by an honest simplicity and a heightened sensitivity to user needs. Furthermore, DBA is committed to the awareness and application of responsible materials, efficient construction, and intelligent packaging.  For more information, visit http://www.dba-co.com.

SOURCE DBA