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Simple Inspired Natural Living


Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly School Supplies for the Best Year Yet

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Guide to non-toxic & eco-friendly school supplies including crayons, markers, glue, lunch gear, backpacks, binders, hand sanitizers and more.


Eco-Friendly School Supplies  
Boxes of #2 pencils. A lifetime supply of hand sanitizer. A new backpack filled with crayons, markers, glue, notebooks…..The dreaded school supply list. Do you have yours yet?
 
Not only does it mark the end of summer but it also means shopping for a bunch of stuff you wish you didn’t have to buy. Worse yet, it might be stuff that is harmful to your kids and bad for the planet.

Table of Contents

  • Why Should We Worry About School Supplies?
  • Resources for Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly School Supplies
  • Favorite Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly School Supplies
    • Sustainable Backpacks
    • Lunch Boxes
    • Zero Waste Lunch Gear
    • Notebooks, Paper & Binders
    • Sustainable Pencils & Pens
    • Non-Toxic Markers, Crayons & Chalk
    • Miscellaneous School Supplies
    • Related

Why Should We Worry About School Supplies?

First of all, I want to be clear that most school supplies are reasonably safe for our kids to use. We do have regulations in place such as The Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act that mandates all art supplies with hazardous chronic effects have a warning label, and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act that tightened regulations on children’s art materials.

However, these regulations can not ensure complete protection. School supplies that contain some very toxic chemicals have been slipping through the cracks. A recent study by U.S. Pirg that included lab testing of products, found toxic chemicals in quite a few common school supplies:

  • asbestos (a known carcinogen) in crayons
  • phthalates (linked to hormone and developmental problems) in 3-ring binders
  • benzene (a probable carcinogen) in dry-erase markers
  • lead (a neurotoxin) in children’s water bottles

Plus we have to consider the environmental impact of school supplies – we go through so much paper, plastic and disposable products! Clearly we should be paying closer attention and making sure we are purchasing sustainable school supplies each year.

Eco-Friendly Back-to-School Supplies

 

Resources for Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly School Supplies

I may receive commissions from purchases made through affiliate links in this article. Full Disclosure

The good news is that eco-friendly and non-toxic school supplies can be found in many stores these days! However, if I were to recommend one type of store to avoid, it would be dollar stores or other bargain basement type stores.

Why avoid dollar stores?? In the study referenced above, many of the products containing harmful chemicals came from these types of stores. I think the pressure to create extremely cheap products leads to dangerous material choices – like the lead and asbestos that’s been found in some school supplies. It’s maddening!

Here are some online stores that I trust for good quality eco-friendly school supplies:

EarthHero – My go-to store for non-toxic and sustainable products.

Amazon (Here’s my back-to-school shopping list)

Mightynest – A good resource for zero waste lunch supplies

Stubby Pencil Studio


RELATED: Non-Toxic Art Supplies for Worry Free Creativity


Favorite Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly School Supplies

Let’s take a fresh look at that school supply list and find ways to make it safer for our kids and better for the planet. You’ll find non-toxic and zero waste school supplies for everyone – ranging from little kids to high school kids and even gear for your college student too.

 

Backpacks - Eco Friendly School

Sustainable Backpacks

Avoid PVC plastic at all costs. Opt for sustainable backpacks made from natural materials like cotton or hemp if possible but durable nylon and polyester (especially if made from recycled water bottles) are very good options. Invest in a high-quality, non-toxic backpack vs. one that will fall apart after one year of use.

Terra Thread Organic Cotton Backpack

Sidekick Backpack made from recycled polyester and nylon

Handmade Hemp Backpack

Fluf Organic Cotton Laptop Backpack

United by Blue Recycled Poly Backpack

Cotopaxi Tasra Del Dia Backpack

Lunch Boxes for School

 

Lunch Boxes

Look for durable, PVC-free lunch bags and zero waste lunch boxes that will last more than one season.

Bentology Lunch Tote

Organic Cotton Lunch Bag

Wildkin Lunch Box

Lunchbots Duplex Bag

 


RELATED: Good Reasons to Buy Non-Toxic Products for Home & Life


Lunch Gear - Eco Friendly School Lunch

 

Zero Waste Lunch Gear

Stock up on reusable lunch containers and snack bags as a replacement for plastic baggies and plastic wrap. Invest in a stainless steel water bottle. Try to minimize waste in your lunch as much as possible!

Lunchskins Sandwich Bags

Jaq Jaq Bird Reusable Snack Pouch

Silicone Stasher Bags

Bee’s Wrap Beeswax Food Wrap

Lunchbots Stainless Steel Food Container

UKonserve Stainless Steel Snack Containers

Insulated Thermos

Safe Sporter Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottle

BONUS: find lots more reusable lunch containers and reusable snack bags here!

Paper & Binders - Eco-Friendly School SuppliesNotebooks, Paper & Binders

Buy paper products, notebooks and binders make with recycled paper (from post-consumer waste) or paper from sustainable sources. Look for 3-ring binders without a plastic cover (or clearly labeled PVC-free).

Recycled Filler Paper

Sugarcane Paper 3-Subject Notebook (made from leftover sugar cane pulp)

Recycled Paper Notebooks

Decomposition Notebooks

Bamboo Paper Index Cards

Recycled Pocket Folders

Recycled Paperboard 1″ Binder

Recycled Kraft Binders 

Recycled Printer/Copy Paper

Recycled Paper Sticky Notes

Pencils - Eco Friendly School Supplies

Sustainable Pencils & Pens

Choose eco-friendly pencils made from recycled materials or wood from sustainably managed forests, and pens made from recycled plastic are better for the environment.

Recycled Newspaper Pencils

Sustainable Seed Pencils from Sprout Pencils

Ticonderoga Recycled #2 Pencils

Colorful Recycled Newspaper Pencils

Recycled Plastic Gel Pen (made from corn-based plastic with soy ink)

Natural Grass Pen (ballpoint pens made from natural meadow grass and BPA-free plastics)

Eco Friendly Colored Pencils

Eco Friendly Highlighter Pencils

Recycled PET Mechanical Pencil

eco-friendly markers, crayons, chalk

Non-Toxic Markers, Crayons & Chalk

Definitely avoid cheap crayons which may be laced with asbestos (as mentioned above). Beeswax and soy crayons are nice alternatives. Water based markers are best, but if you must buy permanent markers, make sure they are free from xylene, toluene, and other VOCs.

Beeswax Crayons

Soy Crayons

Water Based Washable Markers

Fine Tip Washable Markers

Zero Dust Chalk

 

school supplies ruler glue hand sanitizer

Miscellaneous School Supplies

Most school glue is pretty safe but a plant-based version is better for the planet. Look for recycled versions of common school supplies like paper clips, erasers, scissors and pencil cases. If you must buy hand sanitizer, get a non-toxic brand. 

Plant-based Liquid Glue

Plant-based Glue Sticks

Recycled Steel Paper Clips

Recycled Rubber Erasers

Recycled Plastic Scissors

Bamboo Ruler

Organic Cotton Pencil Case

Organic Cotton Laptop Sleeve

Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizer Spray

Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizer Wipes

What are your favorite eco-friendly school supply sources? Please share in the comments!

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Sustainable Swaps Guide

Related

  • The Coolest Reusable Lunch Gear for Back-to-SchoolThe Coolest Reusable Lunch Gear for Back-to-School
  • Coolest Reusable Snack Bags for a Waste-Free LunchCoolest Reusable Snack Bags for a Waste-Free Lunch
  • Non-Toxic Art Supplies For Worry Free CreativityNon-Toxic Art Supplies For Worry Free Creativity
  • The Best Reusable Lunch Containers For All Your Individual NeedsThe Best Reusable Lunch Containers For All Your Individual Needs
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Filed Under: Eco-Friendly Lifestyle, Featured, Green Living, Healthy Kids, Lunch & School Gear, Natural Living, Non-Toxic Products, Product Guides, Reusable Products, Shopping Tagged With: art supplies, back to school, backpacks, eco friendly products, lunch gear, school supplies, snack bags

About Mindful Momma

Micaela Preston is natural living educator and safe and sustainable product activist. She has spoken at conferences and events, has lobbied for safer chemical laws, and has consulted with many brands and businesses. Her book, Practically Green: Your Guide to Eco Friendly Decision Making was published in 2009.

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Comments

  1. Laurel Tincher says

    September 4, 2020 at 12:48 pm

    What a great eco-friendly gift guide! Essentially avoid PVC supplies– those items will last way longer anyway! I found some cute reusable snack containers on Amazon, so not only can we be sustainable, but look cute doing it :). Love your blog and this article was so helpful! Thanks

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      September 8, 2020 at 4:15 pm

      So glad you found it helpful Lauren!

      Reply

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Hi there – I’m Micaela!

Micaela Preston I'm here to help you make lifestyle and product choices that are better for your health & the planet!
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