I love back-to-school shopping.
Even though my color-coded organization system never lasts more than a month, having neat new supplies gives me a fresh start. Finding a turquoise ruler to match my calculator and math binder makes me giddy.
But after working for Natural Home this summer, the green guilt has set in. Back-to-school shopping involves a lot of waste.
In high school, the waste is amplified because teachers do not coordinate their lists. Each teacher requests a binder just for his or her class. Then one teacher says I’ll need tape, another says glue sticks and yet another wants me to buy a bottle of Elmer’s.
Of course, by the end of the year I’ve only used each thing once.
But this year, things have to change. I am going to try harder to reuse the old and green the new. I don’t have my specific supply list yet, so I’ll shop around for green versions of these five essentials:
• Backpack: I have a sturdy backpack I’ve had since 9th grade that I can reuse, but my sister might need a new one. These certified organic European hemp bags come in lots of sizes and colors.
This eco-friendly backpack from Land’s End is made of 100 percent recycled fabric. Photo Courtesy Land’s End
• Lunchbox: My lavender tin lunchbox broke, so I’m on the hunt for a new, stylish lunchbox. Assistant editor Kim Wallace totes this eco-friendly polka-dot lunch bag, which costs $23. I’m also in love with this sleek stainless steel stackable lunchbox from To Go Ware, which costs $23. Paired with a Kleen Kanteen stainless steel water bottle in any color and some cute bamboo cutlery, I’ll be good to go!
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To Go Ware’s stainless steel stackable lunchbox is inspired by an Indian Tiffin box. Photo Courtesy To Go Ware
• Pencils/Pens: I always lose pencils and pens, so I’ll need new ones again this year. These pencils from Paper Mate EarthWrite are awesome. Made from reclaimed wood and 100 percent pre-consumer waste materials, these No.2 pencils are eco-friendly and inexpensive; a dozen costs $1.50. These ballpoint pens from Pilot BeGreen are available at most office supply stores. They are made from 78 percent post-consumer recycled content and are refillable; three pens cost $5.
• Spiral notebooks: All my spirals are full and ready to be recycled. Staples’ eco-friendly college ruled notebooks are made from 80 percent sugarcane waste and are printed with eco-conscious vegetable- and water-based ink. The notebooks cost $3. I also like this pricey but adorable recycled notebook from Target for $10.
• Binders: I have two binders that are still in good condition, but I’ll need a couple more. I can decorate a recycled binder from TerraCycle and recycle it at the end of the school year!
You may have to explore the Internet to find an eco-friendly lunchbox and backpack, but green office supplies are available everywhere (Some for prices less their non-green counterparts!) When shopping, save time by asking an employee if there is an eco-friendly section or if there are eco-friendly alternatives to conventional supplies.
If your local office supply store does not offer the green product you seek, try this online green office supply store.
Do you have a favorite eco-friendly office supply store, brand or product? Please leave a comment!
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I bought Paper Mate EarthWrite pencils for my son after I saw an ad at the TV, my son was very proud he had such eco-friendly pencils and all his classmates asked him where they can buy them. His class decided to impress their math teacher and buy some products from http://www.goodbuddynotes.com/productsforteachers.html and eco-friendly pencils, the teacher was impressed to see his pupils buy such pencils and care about the nature.