What is the best way to dispose of shavings from a mechanical pencil sharpener?

The Issue With Shavings from Pencil Sharpeners

Many people who use mechanical pencil sharpeners might not think about what to do with the shavings once they’ve sharpened their pencils. But, disposing of shavings incorrectly can create a mess, damage your vacuum cleaner, and harm the environment. Here’s what you need to know about the best way to dispose of shavings from your pencil sharpener.

Why You Shouldn’t Dispose of Shavings in the Trash

It might seem like a good idea to dump shavings in the trash and forget about them, but this is not the best disposal method. Pencil shavings made of wood chips can create a fire hazard if they come into contact with a hot light bulb or heater. Also, throwing shavings in the trash can lead to a dirty garbage can and create a mess.

The Best Way to Dispose of Pencil Shavings

The best way to dispose of pencil shavings is to collect them in an empty container like a plastic bottle or a jar. A small container is better to contain the shavings correctly and not make a mess when you transfer it to your compost bin or trash can. The correct size of the container depends on how often you sharpen pencils, so it could be a Tupperware container if you are sharpening pencils for the whole class, or a small baby food jar if you only use it for personal use.

Composting Pencil Shavings

If you’re an eco-friendly person, you might be interested to know that pencil shavings made from wood are compostable. Composting pencil shavings can save space in our landfills and can be used for fertilizing your backyard soil. Make sure that you compost shavings made only of wood and not plastic which could harm the environment.

Alternatives to Using Pencil Sharpeners

If you’re looking for an alternative way to sharpen your pencils, one way is to sharpen them with a knife. Sharpening your pencils with a knife can make a cleaner edge and produce less waste. Another alternative is to use a retractable pencil that has no shavings.