Think Green For Back To School
For many families, it’s the time of year when back to school is growing closer and closer. When shopping for school supplies, it’s important to keep greener options in mind. From paper to pencils, from lunch bags to book bags, there are products out there that leave a lighter footprint on the earth.
The first things to remember is to reuse items you already own that are still good. If last year’s backpack is in good shape, choose to reuse instead of buying a new one. Same goes for lunch bags, binders, pencil bags, and rulers. If you must buy something new, choose vinyl-free items to eliminate the dioxins involved when using PVC. Companies like Rawganique and Ecolution are producing hemp bags, recycled rubber, and recycled plastic bags. Gecko Traders has fair-trade pencil bags made from recyled rice and feed bags from Asia. And I did a post about waste-free lunches back in February, where I highly recommended LaptopLunches cute bento boxes. ReusableBags has a plethora of awesome reusable lunch bags.
When buying paper goods, always look for recycled notebooks with a high post-consumer waste percentage. For school-aged kids, there is recycled construction paper, and Mead makes recycled-content spiral notebooks, as does Ampad Office Max and Office Depot sell recycled printer paper, and New Leaf Paper company sells a wide variety of recycled printer and notebook paper. For grown-up notebook junkies (like myself) Boulder, Colorado stationary company Vickerey has several gorgeous notebooks made of recycled or tree-free paper. 3-M makes a variety of recycled Post-Its and Rebinder makes recycled binders.
Did you know most crayons are made from petroleum? Fortunately, Prang makes 85% soybean oil crayons. There are also recycled-rubber refillable Wheely’s Pens, recycled plastic pens, pencils made from recycled denim, Paper Mate has recycled pencils, and ForestChoice makes pencils certified by the FSC.
For more green school supplies, check out The Green Office.
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:39 pm
With the green initiave infiltrating basically every part of our lifestyle, from homes to cars, even furniture, I commend you for bringing the easy, green options for back to school prep to our attention.
On another note, I’ve found a site that discusses important issues such as green options for school supplies, lunch options, latest trends and the biggest problems–and how to find solutions. I am getting a wealth of knowledge and answers to excruciatingly painful dilemmas, like taming the homework monster and finding time to stay active in the school system. I’m excited to share:
http://www.back2school2007.com
I truly hope you’ll enjoy this site as much as I continue to benefit from it.
Warmly,
Tyler
August 3rd, 2007 at 3:43 pm
I’m so happy to see that eco-friendly options for kids are popping up on everything from pencil holders to books, toys, and other media. Anything we can do to make a difference is worth while. Starting when kids are young and learning the basic foundations of citizenship is the best time to get the next generation to care for our planet!
September 4th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
It’s never been so easy to become enviromently friendly both in terms selection and prices. Please check shopGreen section at:
http://www.shoplet.com/shop-green.html“>Recycled Back To School Supplies
The SHOPGREEN section include over 8,000 Eco-Friendly Back To School and Office Products.
Regards,
Tony
December 4th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Thanks for the great info on how to go green for back to school.
I would like to suggest having a green fundraiser that teaches kids about the ecological importance of organic cotton and natural dyed clothes and raises money for the school. Check out ecosprouts.com to learn more. Thanks again for the great info….