Eco-Friendly School Supplies for Zero Waste School Year
As summer begins to wind down, back-to-school planning ramps up. The excitement of buying new school supplies is undeniable, but it’s important to consider the environmental impact of purchasing fresh items each year.
Getting school supplies is a normal part of the process, ensuring students have the right tools to start the year off strong. But many options aren’t eco-conscious or stylish, which isn’t ideal for students who want fashionable, sustainable choices.
Luckily, there is a wide variety of eco-friendly school supplies that aren’t just green, but functional and attractive, too. If your goal is to have a zero-waste school year with your student, here’s what you need to know.
If you and your student want to learn more about finding scholarships, sign up for our free college scholarship webinar! Take a moment and head over to http://thescholarshipsystem.com/webinar to reserve your spot today.
Contents
What Are Eco-Friendly School Supplies?
Eco-friendly school supplies can come in two forms. First, you can have supplies that are biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable. These products won’t harm the environment when they are discarded, as long as they are correctly handled.
Second, you can find school supplies that are made from recycled products, including those with recycled content or made from recycled plastic. These may reduce the need for new plastics or cutting down more trees, or may be made from a material that is easily replenished. At times, these items may be labeled as sustainable school supplies, or simply as “made from recycled materials.”
Some zero-waste school supplies actually offer both benefits. Not only are they sustainable or recycled school supplies, but they are recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable after your student is done using them. Many eco-friendly school supplies are also non toxic, ensuring they are safe for children and free from harmful chemicals. Additionally, some products are vegan, avoiding animal-based ingredients and supporting animal-free materials. For adhesives, plant based glue is a sustainable alternative to traditional options, further reducing environmental impact.
However, some other products can qualify as eco-friendly simply because they help you reduce waste. For example, zero-waste food storage options can include reusable lunch boxes, food storage bags, or water bottles. These items don’t get thrown away after each use, and some can last years – if not decades – with proper care.
Developing Your Eco-Friendly School Supply List
One move you can make to help your student design a zero-waste back-to-school supply list is to make sure they only include products they genuinely need. It’s common for students to get excited about getting fresh school supplies, causing them to request items they won’t actually use. As families prepare for the new school year, remember to check for reusable items and supplies you already have at home before making new purchases.
For younger students, parents usually get a required supplies list. If that’s the case with your student, use that as a guide and seek out eco-friendly school supplies that meet those criteria.
However, if your student is older, they typically can pick and choose what they want to bring. Don’t let them go overboard! Instead, make sure their actual needs are covered, but not much else. After all, you can always refresh their eco-friendly and plastic-free school supplies mid-year as items get used up, or snag nice-to-haves once it’s clear they would be beneficial. Encourage your family to reuse and repurpose old supplies whenever possible to minimize waste.
By pairing down the list, your student’s back-to-school shopping is automatically more eco-friendly. You’re eliminating waste by avoiding unnecessary purchases, and that can make a big difference. When you shop for school supplies, make responsible purchase decisions by choosing recycled, non-toxic, and reusable products to support a sustainable school year.
Before you start shopping for eco-friendly school supplies, it’s best to take a look around and see what is already available in your home. If your student didn’t use all of their school supplies from last year, or you overstocked your home office when you started working from home and have spare items, use those first. Giving old supplies a new life by reusing or repurposing them helps minimize waste and supports a more sustainable lifestyle.
You’ve already purchased those items, so it’s best to get the most you can out of them. Reusing supplies extends their life and sets a positive example for the next generation, inspiring them to adopt sustainable habits that benefit both their generation and the environment.
For items that can no longer be used or repurposed, be sure to recycle them responsibly to further reduce environmental impact.
42+ Eco-Friendly School Supplies You Can Buy Online
Paper, Notebooks, Notepads, and Binders
- Aurora GB Elements Binder – Made in the USA, this binder features recycled content for an eco-friendly choice.
- Decomposition Book – This stylish notebook is made in the USA and crafted with high recycled content, making it both attractive and sustainable.
- Ecology Recycled Filler Paper – Produced with recycled content, this paper is an environmentally conscious option.
- Environotes Recycled Spiral Notebook – A stylish and eco-friendly notebook made in the USA, featuring significant recycled content.
- Naked Binders – Made in the USA with recycled content, these binders are a sustainable and durable choice.
- Onyx + Green Self-Adhesive Notes – These sticky notes are made with recycled content for a greener alternative.
- Onyx + Green Dividers – Crafted with recycled content, these dividers help keep you organized sustainably.
- Tree-Free Greetings Notebook – This stylish notebook is made from alternative, tree-free materials for a unique and eco-conscious option.
- Post-it 100% Recycled Paper Super Sticky Notes – Made with 100% recycled content, these sticky notes are a sustainable staple.
- Five Star Spiral Notebook + Study App, 4 Pack – A stylish and durable option for students, though not made from recycled content.
Pens, Pencils, Erasers, and Other Writing Tools
-
- Bic Pencil XtraLife Mechanical Pencils – Mechanical pencils that are free from harmful lead and reduce wood usage.
- Onyx + Green Mechanical Pencils – Made from recycled plastic, these pencils are a sustainable choice and do not contain traditional lead.
- Onyx + Green Retractable Ballpoint Pens – Pens made from recycled plastic to help minimize waste.
- Onyx + Green Bamboo Gel Pens – Eco-friendly pens with bamboo barrels and refillable cartridges to reduce single-use plastic.
- PILOT Dr. Grip Refillable & Retractable Gel Ink – Choose refillable pens as an eco-friendly alternative to disposable pens. They use replaceable cartridges, helping to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability.
- Onyx + Green Erasers
- Spout Plantable Pencils – Pencils made from sustainable materials and free from harmful lead, with seeds that can be planted after use.
- Ticonderoga EnviroStick Pencils – Sustainably sourced wood pencils, free from toxic lead.
- BIC Ecolutions Round Stic Ballpoint Pens – Made from recycled plastic for a lower environmental impact.
- BIC Ecolutions Wite-Out Brand Correction Tape – Made from 56% Recycled Plastic
Colored Pencils and Crayons
- Eco-kids Eco-crayon Sticks – Made from natural waxes and mineral pigments, these crayons are free from petroleum and use non-toxic paint for coloring, making them a safe and environmentally friendly choice for kids.
- Onyx + Green Colored Pencils – Crafted from recycled newspaper and featuring non-toxic paint on the exterior, these colored pencils are both sustainable and safe for children.
- Prang Soy-based Crayons – These crayons are made from soybeans and colored with non-toxic paint, ensuring a safer and greener alternative to traditional crayons.
- Three Leaf Colored Pencils – These colored pencils are made with sustainable hemp material and finished with non-toxic paint, supporting ethical and eco-conscious production practices.
Lunch Boxes, Bags, Water Bottles, and Snack Containers
- Colony Co. Lunch Bag – This eco-friendly lunch bag is made from durable, reusable materials and avoids disposable packaging, making it a sustainable choice for daily use.
- Bentgo Kids Lunch Bag – Durable, Double-Insulated Lunch Bag for Kids – Designed for kids, this lunch bag is BPA-free for safety and avoids disposable packaging, supporting a healthier and more eco-friendly lunch routine.
- Hydro Flask Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle – Made from high-quality metal (stainless steel), this water bottle is BPA-free, dishwasher safe for easy cleaning, and eliminates the need for disposable packaging.
- Bumkins Reusable Sandwich and Snack Bags – These reusable bags are BPA-free and help reduce waste by replacing disposable packaging, making them a safe and eco-conscious option.
- Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Sports Cap Bottle – Constructed from durable metal (stainless steel), this bottle is BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and a great alternative to single-use plastic bottles and disposable packaging.
- Lifefactory Glass Water Bottle – This glass bottle is BPA-free and dishwasher safe, providing a non-toxic, reusable alternative to disposable packaging.
- MIRA Stainless Steel Food Storage Containers – These containers are made from metal (stainless steel), are BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and eliminate the need for disposable packaging, making them a durable and eco-friendly choice.
- Vaschy Neoprene Insulated Lunch Tote – This lunch tote is BPA-free and reusable, helping to avoid disposable packaging and promote a healthier, more sustainable lunch solution.
- WildFoodLab Stainless Steel Bento Lunch Box – Crafted from metal (stainless steel), this bento box is BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and designed to replace disposable packaging for a more sustainable lunch option.
Glue, Tape, and Staplers
- Onyx + Green Glue Stick (non toxic glue, plant based glue)
- Plus Paper Clinch Compact Staple Free Stapler
- Scotch Magic Greener Tape
Bookbags, Backpacks, and Carrying Cases
When preparing for school, it’s important to avoid fast fashion by choosing sustainable clothes and eco-friendly gear. Opting for durable, ethically-made gear and clothing helps reduce waste and supports environmentally responsible habits.
- Ecogear Flash Backpack – This eco-friendly gear is crafted with sustainability in mind.
- Ogio Alpha Convoy Backpack – Choose this eco-friendly gear for its recycled fabric and long-lasting design.
- Onyx & Blue Binder Pouch – A sustainable gear choice for organizing school supplies.
- Patagonia Atom Pack – This eco-friendly gear is made with recycled materials and responsible manufacturing.
- United By Blue Rift Pack – Eco-friendly gear that supports environmental clean-up efforts.
- Vaude Tecoday III – An eco-friendly gear option, produced with a focus on sustainability.
- Fjallraven Kanken – This classic eco-friendly gear is made from recycled and sustainable materials.
- Fjallraven Raven 20 – Another eco-friendly gear choice, designed for durability and environmental responsibility.
Bonus Eco-Friendly School Supply Shopping Tip
If you want to make your zero-waste back-to-school shopping approach even more eco-friendly, consider using the bulk shopping approach, but split the items up between multiple students. This could include getting a package and dividing it between more than one child in the same household or pairing your student up with a friend of theirs.
For example, let’s say you have two students in your household. You can buy a pack of 12 eco-friendly pencils. Then, you could split it in two, giving each of your students six pencils.
Not only can this approach help reduce package waste, as there will only be one piece of product packaging total instead of one for each student, but it could also save money. Buying larger quantities commonly means each piece is cheaper, so it can make sustainable school supplies much more affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eco-Friendly School Supplies
Q1: What are eco-friendly school supplies?
Eco-friendly school supplies are products made from sustainable, recycled, biodegradable, or non-toxic materials that reduce environmental impact. These supplies help minimize waste and support a zero waste school year.
Q2: Why should I choose eco-friendly school supplies for my child?
Choosing eco-friendly school supplies helps reduce plastic waste, conserve natural resources like trees and water, and protect the planet. They are often safer for children since many are non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals.
Q3: What are some examples of eco-friendly school supplies?
Examples include recycled paper notebooks, plantable pencils, refillable pens made from recycled plastic, stainless steel lunch boxes, and non-toxic glue sticks made from plant based glue. These supplies combine sustainability with functionality.
Q4: Can eco-friendly school supplies be stylish and durable?
Absolutely! Many brands offer eco-friendly school supplies that are both stylish and durable. Products like recycled content binders, colorful recycled paper notebooks, and bamboo gel pens prove that green choices don’t mean compromising on quality or appearance.
Q5: How can I encourage my child’s classmates and teacher to use eco-friendly school supplies?
Start by sharing the benefits of eco-friendly supplies with your child’s classmates and teacher. You can also organize group purchases or suggest eco-friendly brands that offer sustainable classroom products, helping to build a culture of environmental values.
Q6: Are eco-friendly school supplies more expensive?
While some eco-friendly products may have a slightly higher upfront cost, they often last longer and reduce waste, saving money over time. Buying in bulk or sharing supplies among classmates can also make eco-friendly options more affordable.
Q7: Where can I buy eco-friendly school supplies?
Eco-friendly school supplies are widely available online and in stores. Look for brands specializing in recycled paper, plantable pencils, non-toxic markers, and sustainable backpacks. Shopping from reputable brands ensures quality and environmental responsibility.
Q8: What should I look for when purchasing eco-friendly school supplies?
Look for products made with recycled content, non-toxic materials, biodegradable or compostable packaging, and certifications like FSC for paper products. Avoid supplies with disposable packaging and harmful chemicals to support a healthier classroom and planet.
Q9: How do eco-friendly school supplies help teach kids about sustainability?
Using eco-friendly supplies helps children develop values of environmental responsibility and conservation. It encourages them to reduce waste, recycle, and think critically about their impact on the planet — lessons that extend beyond the classroom.
Q10: Can eco-friendly school supplies be used for all ages?
Yes, eco-friendly supplies are available for students of all ages, from young children to college students. Brands offer a wide range of products designed to meet the needs and preferences of different age groups while promoting sustainable habits.
