In a world overrun by plastic, even the smallest everyday items can contribute to an enormous waste crisis. One such overlooked culprit? The humble plastic pen. With billions discarded each year, they quietly add to the mounting pollution. But one Delhi-based entrepreneur, Saurabh H Mehta, decided to rewrite this narrative—with a pen that leaves no trace behind.

Saurabh’s startup, NOTE (No Offence To Earth), is a bold answer to a problem most people don’t think twice about: the environmental cost of plastic stationery. With a vision to transform an industry rooted in disposability, Saurabh has created a 100% biodegradable pen—from refill to body, including the ink tube, outer shell, and even the clip.

The idea struck him during a visit to a stationery shop, where he noticed that despite growing conversations around sustainability, eco-friendly pens were nearly non-existent in India. Driven by both concern and curiosity, he spent months experimenting with natural materials like paper, bamboo, cornstarch, and biodegradable polymer blends.

The result was NOTE—a pen that not only writes smoothly but also returns to the earth without harming it. What sets NOTE apart is its completely compostable design. While most “eco-pens” still contain plastic in some form (like ink cartridges), Saurabh went the extra mile to ensure zero plastic content.

With an attractive and minimalistic design, NOTE pens cater to both eco-conscious individuals and institutions. Since its launch, the startup has sold over 20,000 units, gaining traction in schools, offices, and gift-conscious corporates aiming to adopt green practices.

But for Saurabh, this is just the beginning. His vision extends to building a line of sustainable stationery products—notebooks, markers, highlighters, and desk supplies—all following the principle of “no offence to Earth.” He is also collaborating with NGOs and educational institutions to conduct eco-awareness campaigns, encouraging students to switch from plastic to planet-friendly alternatives.

In addition to sales, NOTE has begun receiving recognition for its innovation in the sustainable product space, with interest from investors and eco-focused accelerators. The goal? To make eco-friendly stationery the norm, not the niche.

Through NOTE, Saurabh H Mehta is proving that even a small item like a pen can spark big change—and that true sustainability lies in rethinking the most ordinary objects.

In a country where millions of pens are tossed daily, NOTE is a powerful reminder that every line we write can also write a better future for the planet.