> One question I have is about fountain pen : Is it better than ball pen given the plastic ink reservoirs that are discarded.
I just refill my cartridge in my fountain pen. Yes, the cartridge is plastic, but I have a little pipette that can fit into the opening and squirt in new ink so it is REUSEable plastic rather than single use plastic. A converter is just a cartridge with extra cost associated, really, when one looks at functionality.
In general, my rule of thumb is how it is stored at the grocers is how you should store it at home.
In a plastic bag in refrigeration at the grocer’s? Same at home. Room temp and naked at the grocer’s? Same at home. Etc.