In a world overwhelmed by plastic waste, even the smallest effort can create lasting change. The Pen Bin Love Project, led by the Zeroplastic Community of the Open University of Sri Lanka, proves that something as simple as an empty ballpoint pen can carry the power to educate, inspire, and protect our environment.

A Simple Idea with Powerful Impact

The core aim of the Pen Bin Love Project is to promote sustainability and reduce plastic waste by collecting used ballpoint pens through specially designed collection boxes called “Bins of Love.” These bins offer students, staff, and the public a place to dispose of used pens responsibly—pens that would otherwise end up in landfills.

But this project doesn’t just stop at collection. The pens gathered through the initiative are refilled, repurposed, or recycled and then donated to underprivileged schools and children who lack access to basic stationery. It’s a powerful example of how something discarded can be transformed into a meaningful resource.

Reaching All Corners of the Island

Thanks to the strong support from Open University’s regional staff, all nine regional centers—Colombo, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Jaffna, Matara, Rathnapura, Batticaloa, and Badulla—have successfully launched their own Bin of Love. Each center’s regional coordinator has taken responsibility for maintaining the bins and ensuring that collected pens are stored and delivered properly.

This coordinated effort demonstrates how internal university networks can be mobilized effectively for environmental goals.

Next Phase: Empowering Schools

With the university phase fully implemented, the Pen Bin Love Project is now entering its second stage—reaching school communities. The team is in the process of establishing school-level Zeroplastic Clubs that will handle pen collection and lead student-driven environmental activities within their schools.

These clubs not only serve as collection hubs but also function as platforms for peer-led sustainability education, helping to shape a generation of environmentally conscious leaders.

Teaching That Small Acts Matter

At the heart of this project is a powerful message: small acts can lead to big change. By encouraging university and school students to take action through something as simple as dropping a used pen into a bin, the project shows how environmental responsibility starts at the individual level.

It also emphasizes that sustainability isn’t always about big investments or massive reforms—it’s about consistency, compassion, and collective action.

A Call to Action

The Pen Bin Love Project invites educators, students, and volunteers to join this growing movement. With continued support, the project hopes to scale further, reaching more schools and communities across Sri Lanka.

As we move forward, the hope is that the love we place into each small action—each pen, each donation, each conversation—continues to grow, ripple, and refill hope in every corner of the island.