Is Onyx and Green ethical?

Overview

Onyx and Green is a prominent player in the sustainable stationery market, operating under the umbrella of Onyx Brands. The company focuses on challenging the environmental impact of the office supply industry by substituting petroleum-based plastics and virgin wood pulp with sustainable alternatives. Their product catalog ranges from writing instruments and notebooks to calculators and desktop accessories, all designed with a lifecycle-thinking approach. By utilizing post-consumer recycled materials and rapidly renewable plants, Onyx and Green provides high-performance alternatives for students and professionals looking to minimize their ecological footprint.

Certifications

The brand's commitment to transparency is backed by several reputable third-party certifications. A significant portion of their paper and wood-based products, including their bamboo pen ranges, are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified, ensuring that the raw materials are sourced from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Furthermore, the brand has achieved PETA-Approved Vegan status across various product lines, highlighting their refusal to use animal-derived components. Notably, some specific items, such as their Wheat Straw Notebooks, are linked to B Corp certified production standards, reflecting a high level of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

Animal testing & vegan range

Onyx and Green maintains a strict policy against animal testing, earning them a 'Cruelty-Free' designation and consistent PETA approval. Unlike traditional stationery brands that may use animal-based glues (often containing gelatin) or dyes derived from insects or crushed bone, Onyx and Green ensures their products are 100% vegan. This includes the inks used in their gel pens and the adhesives used in their notebooks and binders. Their range is particularly popular among ethical consumers because it treats office supplies as a category requiring the same rigorous vegan standards as cosmetics or fashion.

Sustainability pledges

The brand’s sustainability strategy is centered on 'Circular Thinking.' Their primary pledge involves the use of 'trash' as a resource; this includes recycled plastic water bottles, recycled rubber, and even recycled newspaper. They have also integrated 'Climate Neutral' practices for specific high-run product lines, aiming to offset the carbon emissions generated during manufacturing and shipping. By focusing on materials like bamboo and wheat straw—byproducts of the agricultural industry that would otherwise be discarded—the brand effectively reduces the demand for virgin plastics and minimizes waste-to-landfill ratios.

Sourcing & labor

Onyx and Green emphasizes responsible global sourcing. Their choice of materials, such as bamboo, is intentionally selected from regions where these plants grow natively and rapidly without the need for pesticides. While the brand operates on a global supply chain, they prioritize facilities that adhere to fair labor practices. Their FSC certification further reinforces their commitment to labor rights within the forestry sector, ensuring that workers' rights are respected and that local communities benefit from the production process. The brand's focus on agricultural waste (like wheat straw) also supports circular economies in farming regions.

Controversies context

As of the current reporting period, there are no major environmental, social, or corporate governance (ESG) controversies on record for Onyx and Green. The brand has maintained a clean record regarding greenwashing, largely due to their reliance on verifiable certifications rather than vague marketing claims. They have avoided the common pitfalls of the stationery industry, such as undisclosed supply chains or the use of toxic lead-based paints in pencils, by adhering to rigorous safety and environmental standards.

Bottom line

Onyx and Green stands out as a high-integrity choice for ethical consumers. With ethics scores ranging from 72 to 88 across their product line, they demonstrate a consistent application of green principles. Their strength lies in their material innovation—turning agricultural waste and recycled plastics into functional tools. For those seeking school or office supplies that are guaranteed vegan, cruelty-free, and low-impact, Onyx and Green remains one of the most accessible and reliable brands in the global market.