As a child, I adored my Faber-Castell coloured pencils: artist sets, watercolours, those cute ones that came in the little tubes… And now I think I know why. In exciting news for my ability to predict the future, the socially-responsible German stationery company is bringing one of my favourite childhood compositions – the smiling trees, smiling mountains, smiling sun combination – a touch closer to reality with the announcement that they have just become the world’s first private company awarded carbon trading approval by the UN. It coincides with Faber-Castell International’s launch of a new sustainable reforestation project in Colombia, just another notch on the belt of their already exemplary environmental record. All this makes them carbon neutral several times over, and this year, thanks for the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism, they will begin dealing in carbon dioxide certificates. But the most interesting fact of all? The Regional Director for Faber-Castell is named – wait for it – Count Andreas von Faber-Castell. Let’s hear it for the Count!
A Brighter Future
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Brighten up your inbox with our not-too-frequent emails featuring Peppermint-related news, events, competitions and more!
explore
More articles
The right shoes have a knack for pulling an outfit together. So why settle for off-the-shelf? Sneaker Stitch founder Leesa Simpson is helping makers put their best foot forward with custom sneakers stitched entirely by you. (Yes, you can do it!)
Forget placards and pitchforks! This November, the revolution comes armed with dancing shoes and a firm belief that caring is the new cool. Clothing the Loop brings its joyful rebellion against waste back to Canberra, and everyone’s invited to join.
Slow fashion, frantic printers, the occasional magpie in lycra… At Sydney label Lonely Kids Club, making less doesn’t mean having less fun. Founder Warwick Levy explains how quirky designs, print-to-order production and less waste go hand in hand.
From Brisbane’s riverside to Manly’s oceanfront, The Great Artist Market is making space for art, makers and good old-fashioned face-to-face connection. We chat to creative duo Claire Ritchie and Dean Romeo to find out more.
The 2026 Clean + Conscious Awards have revealed their winners! We’re joining the celebrations with a closer look at some of the products that caught our eye.
Author Douglas Adams wrote that a towel is the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can own. But if you’re short on space, we recommend a tea towel, instead! These tiny canvases pack plenty of personality AND dry the dishes to boot.



