Green Means Go: A Sustainable Start to the School Year
As summer winds down and students prepare to return to classrooms, the excitement of a new school year often comes with a flurry of shopping, organizing, and planning. But amidst the hustle, there's a growing opportunity—and responsibility—to make choices that are kinder to the planet. From eco-friendly school supplies to low-waste lunch packing and mindful transportation, going back to school sustainably isn't just a trend—it's a meaningful way to reduce your environmental footprint while setting a positive example for others. Here's how students, parents, and educators can make smarter, greener decisions this school year.
Sustainability Tips to Remember:
Consider making mindful choices that reduce environmental impact and promote ethical practices.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:
Before purchasing new supplies, check to see if any items from the previous year can be reused.
Thrifty Finds:
Shopping second-hand for clothing or school supplies helps reduce waste and promotes sustainable fashion choices.
Bulk Buys:
Purchasing essential items like pens, pencils, and erasers in bulk to minimize packaging waste and save resources.
Shop Local Small Businesses:
Consider supporting local businesses or artisans that prioritize sustainable practices.
Quality Over Quantity:
Invest in durable, high-quality items that will last longer. This can help prevent the need for frequent replacements and reduce waste over time.
Minimal Packaging:
Be conscious of the packaging of the products you buy. Opt for products with minimal or recyclable packaging to reduce the amount of waste generated.
Sustainable finds for every age:
Back-to-Kindergarten:
Product: Beeswax crayons
Brand: Eco Kids
About: These triangle-shaped, kid-friendly crayons encourage children to use their imagination and to unleash their inner artist. The shape prevents rolling off surfaces. Coming in 8 bright, all-natural colors and packaged in a cardboard tube.
Price: $8.99
Product: Reusable silicon snack bags
Brand: Stasher
About: In addition to being the perfect-sized snack bag, Stasher bags are non-toxic, endlessly reusable, versatile, and zero-waste. They’re also hypoallergenic, BPA and BPS-free, and feature a pinch-loc seal, making them leak-free. Available in eight different fun colors, each bag helps prevent thousands of single-use plastic bags from entering landfills and oceans.
Price: $10.99
Product: Plant-based clear liquid glue
Brand: Onyx Green
About: This liquid glue is even better than traditional glue; it’s natural, transparent, and fast drying. This glue harnesses the power of nature, rather than relying on harsh chemicals. Regardless of your project, the glue's fast-drying nature ensures that everything remains in place.
Price: $5.99
Back to Middle School:
Product: Plantable colored pencils
Brand: Sprouts
About: Colored pencils made from FSC-certified wood, and at the end of their life, can be planted. The stubs include seeds for herbs, flowers, or veggies. Transform your traditional pencil into a gorgeous garden with these plantable colored pencils.
Price: $15.99
Product: Batai organic cotton pencil bag
Brand: Terra
About: This pencil bag is compact and made from 100% Fair Trade-certified organic cotton, sewn in a Fair Trade-certified factory. The zipper and other fasteners are guaranteed to be lead-free. Terra also donates to Feeding America.
Price: $15.95
Product: Stainless steel solo cube food container
Brand: ECO Lunchbox
About: These food containers are made from stainless steel, making them durable, compact, and reusable. Ideal for storing sandwiches, leftovers, or other snacks. You can even easily prep meals for weeks ahead. ECO Lunchbox containers are dishwasher safe, plastic-free, and free from BPA, BPS, and phthalates.
Price: $24.99
Back to High School:
Product: Executive work tote bag
Brand: Terra Thread
About: A tote bag perfect for all your essentials. Sturdy enough to stand on its own, easy to pack and unpack with a secure snap closure, and includes dedicated compartments for your laptop, water bottle, and a pocket for extra storage. Made from Fair Trade certified organic cotton.
Price: $49.95
Product: Recycled paper sticky notes
Brand: Onyx Green
About: Did you know that most recycling centers can’t handle small sticky notes? This isn’t a problem with these recycled paper sticky notes. Made from 70% recycled paper and can even be composted when you’re done with them. The pack includes 200 notes.
Price: $3.99
Product: Ruled spiral decomposition notebook
Brand: Decomposition
About: Each Decomposition notebook features a variety of unique designs. Each page is printed with soy ink and made from paper crafted from 100% post-consumer recycled materials. The paper can also be recycled at the end of its life. College ruled, spiral binding, and includes 160 pages.
Price: $10.99
Back to College:
Product: Insulated coffee mug 12 Oz
Brand: HydroFlask
About: Crafted from 18/8 stainless steel, it promises pure taste without any flavor transfer. Featuring a press-in lid for temperature control, a splash-resistant feature for easy transportation, and a soft-touch finish and easy grip handle offering a snug feel in your hands.
Price: $27.95
Product: Organic cotton duvet cover set
Brand: Sleep and Beyond
About: Remarkably soft, highly breathable, and naturally hypoallergenic. This duvet cover feels like sleeping in a cloud. Woven with high-quality and sustainable organic cotton. Made with no pesticides or carcinogenic chemicals. Durable, pre-shrunk, and comes in reusable and biodegradable packaging. Comes in two colors, ivory and white, and four sizes, twin, full/queen, king, and super king.
Price: $169
Product: Compact life portable tech charger
Brand: NIMBLE
About: This portable charger not only charges you up but also makes a positive impact on the world. The high-speed charging unit keeps you powered up while on the go and is compactly housed in 72.5% post-consumer plastic. Easily charge two devices at once and charge 2X faster compared to similar devices. NIMBLE devices are built to last.
Price: $29.95
Sustainable back-to-school habits don’t have to be complicated. Simple actions can make a big difference. By starting the year with eco-friendly choices, students and families can help protect the planet and inspire others to do the same.
