I'm glad to report there are lots of option for eco-friendly back to school supplies, and the amount out there is growing steadily. Here are the categories of supplies, and my favorite sites for finding them. Readers, please add your favorites in the comments.
No Waste Lunches: This is a growing category, thankfully.
*Kids Conserve Waste Free Lunch Kits: These are really cute and functional. I love the color cloth bags, the small snack sized containers and the matching napkins. This is a mom on a green mission, which I love to see!
*Citizenpip Reusuable Lunch Kits: Another mom powered business with kits that are better and different because--
"Everything in one kit: It comes with everything you need to pack a reusable lunch - an insulated lunch bag, water bottle, insulated food jar, BPA-free food containers, fork+spoon, and napkins.
Flexible: It has the convenience of coordinated items with the flexibility to work with other types of containers.
Muck-free: All products have been tested by a CPSIA accredited lab to be lead-free, phthalate-free and BPA-free."
(I like that last one very much!)
Eco-Friendly Backpacks:
*Ecozoo Backpacks: These are adorable, eco-friendly backpacks for preschoolers under 50 bucks. LOVE the puppy one we got for my daughter, and will get another one when my youngest heads off to preschool.
*Eco-gear has a full line of eco-packsfor older kids, too!
Green School Supplies:
Here's a post I did about green school supplies. They are more expensive, but if you are only buying for one child or two, it would hopefully be manageable. Also , at Staples and other big box stores, you can find more and more green supplies if you look closely at the labels for recycled content.
Eco-Jot: This environmentally responsible company has the most beautiful prints on notebooks, agenda books, folders and sketchbooks made from 100 percent post consumer recycled paper. There are many fun, funky, and inspirational designs for kids of all ages.
Please add to this list in the comments. I will also be adding a part two to this guide with some new resources that are coming available in the next few days, so stay tuned. I can't believe I am already writing a back to school post. Enjoy what remains of an all too fleeting summer!
Katy can be found at Non-Toxic Kids sharing helpful information about how to raise kids as naturally as possible. She is a teacher, freelance writer, and mama from the mountains of Vermont.
