Eco Checklist 2008: Green Gear for the Back-to-School Blues

Updated by Laura Dattaro

For many kids, one of the few highlights of heading back to school is the barrage of new stuff they get to coerce their parents into buying. Unfortunately for the planet, that can mean mounds of waste in the form of packaging and resources needed to make all those shiny new supplies. This fall, combat your impact on the planet while appeasing your kids' desires by buying some of these eco-friendly products instead. Many of these items can be bought in bulk, too, so consider teaming up with other parents or the school's administration—you'll up your eco-points and save everyone some extra cash.

Electronics

Today's kids are more tech-savvy than ever, but all of their electronics can guzzle energy—even when not in use. MetaEfficient recently ranked the greenest desktops, laptops and monitors of 2008 based on factors like power consumption and end-of-life options. You can also visit Cade PC to custom build an Energy Star-rated computer (starting at $635) and find recommendations on accessories. After buying (or before), be sure to recycle your outdated electronics so they don't contribute to the waste stream.

Packing Lunch

On average, a school-age child using a disposable lunch generates 67 pounds of waste per school year. Instead of buying individually wrapped snacks, buy in bulk and pack items in reusable containers. Remember that children often don't finish everything, so cutting up fruits and veggies allows them to bring home leftovers. For more ideas, check out Wastefreelunches.org, and consider some of these waste-free lunch products.

Lunchopolis garbage-free lunch boxes and packing materials ($31.99; www.lunchopolis.com for information and retailers)

Utensils, containers, lunch boxes and kits (brands and prices vary; www.laptoplunches.com, 831-457-0301)

Writing Paper and Notebooks

Office Max 100 Percent Recycled Multipurpose Paper, ($8.49/500 sheets; www.officemax.com, 800-283-7674)

Staples 100 percent recycled post-consumer content printing paper, processed chlorine free, Forest Stewardship Council certified and endorsed by the Rainforest Alliance ($9.79/500 sheets; www.staples.com, 800-378-2753)

Ampad Evidence 40 percent post-consumer content one-, three- and five-subject notebooks ($5.29-$8.29; www.staples.com, 800-378-2753)

Wausau Exact 30 percent post-consumer recycled multipurpose color paper, Green Seal certified ($5.69/500 sheets; www.greenlinepaper.com, 800-641-1117)

Pens, Pencils and Supplies

Eco-Writer 90 percent PCW pencils ($0.34; www.greenlinepaper.com, 800-641-1117) or Forest Choice graphite #2 cedar pencils, FSC certified ($1.99/12; www.forestchoice.com)

Wheely's 50 percent post-consumer recycled tire ballpoint pens ($0.50 or $10.80/24) or biodegradable cornstarch pens ($1.35 or $13.20/12; www.greenearthofficesupply.com, 800-327-8449)

Least toxic, washable and acid-free OIC glue sticks ($1.09 to $1.79; www.staples.com, 800-378-2753)

Cellulose-based transparent tape ($0.95/roll; www.greenearthofficesupply.com, 800-327-8449)

Folders, Binders and Books

Three-ring 35 to 38 percent PCW cardboard binders ($4.25 to $6.50; www.treecycle.com, 406-550-3116)

Oxford 100 percent recycled report covers, various colors ($24.99/box of 25; www.officedepot.com, 800-463-3768)

Bags and Backpacks

Simple Shoes "feedbags" and backpacks include cotton, jute, wool, and recycled plastic bottles ($65-$100; www.simpleshoes.com, 866-896-3708)

Hemp backpacks, available in regular, saddle, or "mini" size from Eco Body Wear ($34.99 to $79.99; www.ecobodywear.com); Sierra Club 100 percent certified organic cotton Cinch Sak ($34; www.sierraclub.org, 415-977-5600)

Clothing

Eco Goods organic cotton socks ($9.95; www.ecogoods.com, 831-429-5758)

My Green Closet, organic cotton clothing for younger children (prices vary; www.mygreencloset.com, 612-396-9025)

American Apparel organic cotton T-shirts, tanks and cardigans ($12-$26; www.americanapparel.net, 888-747-0070)

H&M introduced organic cotton in their children's lines in 2004, and has been expanding their use of it since. They offer both 100 percent and 50 percent organic options, as marked on the tags.  (www.hm.com for store locations, 212-564-9922)

Kidbean, clothing for children ages 2 to 12 (brands and prices vary; www.kidbean.com, 866-258-0480)

Patagonia, organic clothing for children (prices vary; www.patagonia.com, 800-638-6464)

And for a little bit of everything, visit Progressive Kid—they carry environmentally friendly clothing, backpacks, binders, games, and more, and maintain an educational site called Kids' Rock to teach children about the importance of sustainability.

Other Resources

The EPA's Tips for a Waste-Less School Year

Ideas to start a recycling program at your school 

Information about buying and recycling electronics

Perform a waste audit at your school