With autumn quickly approaching, parents and their children are getting ready to begin a new school year. It is always exciting to go out and buy all those bright, shiny new items for going back to class. When shopping for supplies this year, why not avoid waste, pollutants and toxic materials? Parents are always looking for ways to keep their kids safe, healthy and happy. Try sending your children off to school in green style by purchasing products that are healthier for the environment as well. Here are some great eco-friendly school supplies to choose from.
Recycled Pencils
When it comes to writing, make a greener choice by choosing 100% recycled #2 pencils. Choose from pencils made from reclaimed wood, such as the Paper Mate Earth Write pencil, or give your kids a blast of scented fun with Smencils. Made from 100% recycled newspaper, they come in a variety scents like chocolate, bubble gum, grape, and root beer.
Soybean Crayons
Made from a natural soybean wax by brands such as Clementine Art and Prang, these crayons contain no paraffin wax. They tend to flake less and allow for a smoother coloring experience. With more vibrant colors, your kids will be creating bright, eco-friendly works of art.
Biodegradable Pens
Companies like Paper Mate now sell pens made from corn-based materials, and the bulk of the pen will biodegrade in soil over about 12 months time. Another, perhaps even greener, option for biodegradable pens is the DBA 98. It is made from potato-based materials in a wind-powered plant. This pen is 98% biodegradable and boasts eco-friendly ink too.
Elephant PooPoo Paper
The Great Elephant Poo Poo Paper Company makes 100% odorless, recycled stationary products from elephant dung. The dung is left to thoroughly dry, then rinsed and washed. This process leaves behind the fibers from the animal’s vegetation diet, which is recycled into paper. An elephant poop is fairly massive and can produce about 25 sheets of paper from a single piece.
Banana Paper Notebooks
These notebooks are made from 20% banana leaf fibers and 80% recycled post consumer waste paper. The covers are brightly printed with eco-friendly water-based inks, and they are acid and bleach-free.
Rebinders
A greener choice over vinyl, toxic binders is the durable Rebinder. It is made from a minimum of 35% recycled post consumer waste. Made of corrugated cardboard, it is reusable and recyclable.
Greener Lunch Containers
Get rid of those brown paper bags and plastic sandwich bags, and shop for reusable, earth-friendly options for your lunchtime meals and snacks. There is a large variety of various types and styles to choose from. Your options include recycled, toxin-free cotton bags, compact bento boxes and insulated designs, such as the Insulated Lunch Bag by Four Peas, which keep your food and drinks cold or hot for hours.
Reusable Sandwich Bags
Forget about clogging landfills with all those plastic sandwich bags. Washable, reusable Wrap-N-Mats are 100% BPA, lead and phthalate-free, making them the perfect sustainable alternative to replace your old, disposable plastic bags.
Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Think about using bottles that are much safer for the environment and your children. Stainless steel bottles are reusable, BPA and lead-free. There are many styles and designs available, making it easy to please everyone in the family. ThinkSport’s thermal bottle is a great choice for keeping liquids cold or hot.
Shopping for greener gear this school year can be a fun and rewarding experience. It is possible the cost of purchasing eco-friendly school supplies could be a little higher upfront. However, using toxin-free, sustainable, reusable products will not only be safer your kids, but will save your wallet and the planet in the long run.
PS: Have you ever considered your laundry waste?
Did you know that annually more than 750 million plastic laundry jugs end up in our landfills? Tru Earth has the solution.
