Going green with school supplies easier than you think

Smencils: Gourmet scented recycled newspaper pencils!

There are some experiences we love about back to school supplies: the crack of stiff textbook spines, the rustle of fresh notepaper, the whiff of inky neon highlighters . . . okay, maybe not the last one. That can be more nauseating than pleasant. And if stinky markers turn your stomach, consider this: Those markers, paints, glues, and paper contain harmful chemicals called VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and dioxins that can cause serious health effects such as organ failure and cancer.⁽¹⁾

Let’s face it. Some of our kids are going to be glue sniffers. Some are going to taste-test paint chips. So how can we make sure we are giving them the supplies they need to succeed in school that are friendly to them and also to the environment? (Each year, 6 billion disposable pens are thrown away⁽²⁾, 14 billion pencils made⁽²⁾, 38 tons of paper tossed⁽³⁾, and 240 pounds of waste per student is produced⁽³⁾.)

Going green with school supplies is actually a lot easier than you think. There are hundreds of manufacturers and stores out there that offer a greener solution to die-hard essentials such as paint, glue, crayons, pens, and much much more. For every product out there, there’s a more sustainable option. Even the big brands such as Crayola, Pilot, Mead, Elmers, and Ross offer greener alternatives to their standard lines. I’ve gone around product-and-cost-comparing some of the most recommended green school and office suppliers and taken the guesswork out of how, where, and what to buy (because I know those supplies lists can be daunting enough!).

My number one recommended site is www.thegreenoffice.com. Very user friendly one-stop shopping for any age student offering products from crayons to computers. What I like most is the green guide for every product telling you how green it is and how it gets its green or not-so-green rating. It carries the more run-of-the mill-supplies, for the child that is more inclined to blend in with the norm. But if your child loves to make a statement, go to www.greenearthofficesupply.stores.yahoo.net. It also carries the basics, and then some. Recycled blue jean pencils, anyone? How about elephant dung recycled paper?

If you prefer traditional in-store shopping, Office Max, The Office Depot, and Staples carry some of these fine green products. I just have two recommendations to make if you choose this route: First, check out the above sites to see what’s out there and get familiar with your options. Second, call the store before you go and speak to a representative who can tell you what selections they carry. This should make your eco school shopping a lot less stressful.

There are some cutesy supply stores for the wee ones that specialize in a few highly eco-friendly products, such as www.romp.com and www.clementineart.com. As great as they are, I would advise to get their products if you so desire only for the occasional home art project, and not with your back-to-school budget.

Before you send your kids off on their merry way with their Woodys and Smencils, there are just a few tips left that I’d like to leave with you to get this school year off to a green start:

First, reuse what you already have. I know your kids will moan and groan about using last year's ratty binders, but this golden rule comes second to none.
When you buy, don't buy bulk to save cents. If you're not going to use 20 gluesticks this year, don't buy the double pack just because you get a discount.
Get second-hand textbooks at places like www.abebooks.com, or borrow the editions available at your local community, school, or university library.
Go mechanical. Pens and pencils made of recycled materials that use refills are less wasteful than one-time use utensils.
Look for FSC ratings on your pencils.
Buy paper that is firstly PCF, or otherwise TCF or ECF. See this guide to learn what these acronyms mean.
And lastly, remember that just because something is labeled non-toxic doesn’t mean that it is safe for human consumption. Use your best judgment.