About His Business & Career: Sprout World is not Michael Stausholm’s first foray into sustainable business. The founder previously helped companies like Nike and Walmart move toward more sustainable textile production processes. Stausholm, of course, went on to found Sprout World, which today is the only patented pencil that can be planted upon the end of its life as a writing instrument.
Why He Made the Worthy 100: Sprout World’s products (pencils and its new eyeliner pencils) are clearly sustainable, since you can plant the pencil and watch it become flowers, herbs or vegetables. The company is also a part of the UN Global Compact and noted that it would implement sustainable development goals 4, 12, 13 and 15 into its business strategy in Sprout’s 2017 Communication on Progress report. But Stausholm is concerned about the human side of sustainability, as well, working to ensure decent working conditions are met in their supply chains. Stausholm also noted in an interview on Sprout World’s website that he employs individuals with special needs at a sheltered workshop in Denmark to help pack the pencils.
Industry: Retail
Year Founded: 2013
Headquarters: Brøndby, Denmark
