Meet the world’s first plantable pencil. A pencil you can grow into a plant. 🌱 In this Conscious Design Podcast episode, SproutWorld founder & CEO Michael Stausholm reveals how this simple idea became a global eco brand, selling over 80 million pencils worldwide and expanding into plantable makeup.

Michael shares the full journey: from discovering the idea at MIT, to building a certified B-Corp, to redefining what sustainability means for everyday products. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, eco-conscious consumer, or design thinker, this episode shows how a single idea can spark a worldwide movement.

🔎 In this episode you’ll learn:

• What a plantable pencil is and how it works
• How SproutWorld grew from MIT invention to 80M+ sales globally
• Why corporations and consumers are embracing plantable products
• The meaning and impact of B-Corp certification
• How SproutWorld developed plantable eyeliners, brow liners, and lip liners
• Why sustainability storytelling builds stronger brands
• The future of eco-Innovation and plantable everyday items

⏩ Jump to your favorite parts:

00:33 Welcome to the Conscious Design Podcast

00:49 : Meet Michael Straus: CEO of Sprout World

01:09 : The Origin of Plantable Pencils

03:27 : Sprout World’s Market and Popularity

06:48 : Sustainability and Certifications

11:02 : Innovative Expansion into Makeup

20:33 : The Future of Sprout World

32:36 : Conclusion and Contact Information

About Michael Stausholm and SproutWorld

Michael Stausholm is the Founder & CEO of SproutWorld, the company behind the world’s only patented plantable pencil. What began as a Kickstarter idea by MIT students became a global eco innovation. Today, SproutWorld is a certified B-Corp proving that business can be best for the world, not just in the world.

🔗𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵  Michael Stausholm and SproutWorld

Website: https://sproutworld.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelstausholm/ 

LinkedIn (SproutWorld): https://www.linkedin.com/company/sprout-europe/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelstausholm/ 

Instagram (SproutWorld): https://www.instagram.com/sproutworldofficial/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.s.christiansen.9

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 “𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻” 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KNMN9BT

 Learn more: https://www.consciousdesignhaus.com/

Want to turn visionary ideas into market-ready, sustainable products? 👉 https://www.petermanfirm.com/

🤝 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁:

 Instagram:  / cdesignhaus  

 TikTok:  / consciousdesign  

 LinkedIn:  / conscious-designhaus  

 X (Twitter): https://x.com/CDesignHaus

💬 Question for you: Would you buy plantable makeup or stationery if it was available in your local store? Share in the comments!

🔔 Enjoyed this episode? Like, subscribe & share to support conscious innovation!

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Ian Peterman CEO

Ian Peterman is leading the way for conscious design thinking through his book, podcast, and public appearances. His methods for prioritizing restorative, sustainable, and inclusive values to build a legacy of positive impact for his client’s brands have offered an exciting and rewarding approach to the future of good business. The Peterman Design Firm specializes in developing and commercializing products and offers branding and marketing for the missions its clients create. Ian also builds teams and catalyzes growth via fractional COO and CMO services. Ian is passionate about green tech, space exploration, and creating meaningful connections through human-centered planet friendly brands. When he’s not teaching and implementing conscious design he enjoys family, food, and watching the night sky. To learn more about Ian and Conscious Design you can check out @Petermanfirm for the latest podcasts, projects, and events, or find the book on Amazon.