Back to School is Cool with these Eco-Friendly School Supplies
Posted by Lisa Carey
It’s back to school time and with it comes those long school supply shopping lists generously provided to us by our children’s schools. This year why not “go green” with environmentally friendly school supply choices. See if these ideas will fit in your backpack.
Every school supply list included #2 pencils, so why not use the Papermate EarthWrite Recycled Pencils in your student’s school box? They are made from 100% recycled materials, from lead right down to the eraser.
Does your school list include red, black, or blue ink pens? Paper Mate Biodegradable Retractable Medium Point Ballpoint Pens are available in 4 Colored Ink, Black, Blue, and Red packs.
My daughter’s school supply list called for three boxes of crayons. Instead of turning to Crayola, why not try Soy crayons? Soy crayons are non-toxic and made from soybean oil.
Does your child need a journal for their reading, writing, and arithmetic classes? Oh pooh! Elephant Pooh, that is, offers odor free journals made from pulped and processed dung.
Kleen Earth scissors have black handles that are made from recycled plastic.
When asked for white glue, try an adhesive paste. Look for ones made of potato starch that work on paper and fabric.
Did you know there are recycled file and pocket folders available? Earthwise makes 100% recycled portfolio folders and report covers. You can also look for binders made from recycled computer circuit boards and recycled rubber, or binders made from 45 to 100% post-consumer waste plastic, as well as recycled cardboard.
It seems that there is never enough paper to go around at home or my daughter’s school. Did you know that using recycled paper made from post-consumer waste prevents used paper from going into the landfill? When purchasing paper this year, whether for the copy machine or your notebook, look for the higher recycled content. Encourage your children to use up the entire notebook, front and back of the pages, before going on to the next one.
Pack it all up in an eco-friendly backpack made by Terracycle from recycled materials, or a tote bag or backpack made of organic cotton.
Let’s go to lunch – with reusable sandwich bags such as Wrap-N-Mat (made with cotton) and non-PVC-vinyl–lined bags. Or you can take a laptop or bento box lunch. Not only are these eco-friendly choices, they also allow parents to make 
healthy and eco-friendly meal options for their children (hopefully with locally grown organic foods).
One of the hardest things about using environmentally friendly school supplies means it may take a little more effort. You can’t simply walk into a store and purchase all your supplies in one place. However, Amazon offers many of the products mentioned here and Wal-Mart, Target, Office Depot and Staples has the more common school supplies such as recycled paper journals, pens, and pencils.
But it’s not just about your school supplies. Start making decisions now about walking, car pooling, or riding the bus. Give the gas and the air a break, and avoid the long pickup lines at your child’s school.
Not only can you help your school go green with many of these Eco-Friendly Practices in the School System, but these back to school supply suggestions can help you and your child make greener choices at home and school.
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Nice post Lisa, I wish all parents would make smart eco-friendly choices like these. Sustainability is a lifestyle choice and our kids learn by example . Teach them these ways now and they will become habits for life.
Regards,
Rich @ NY Homesteader