Going back to school always requires a “back to school” shopping trip. Why not try to make the school supplies you buy this year environmentally friendly? Below are several items sold in local office supply stores that are made from recycled goods and that are only a few cents more than the standard items. The Georgia Conservancy does not endorse any of the companies listed. These are only suggestions, so feel free to shop around for other brands that also use recycled contents for their products.

Paper:
Look for post consumer waste content (PCW) and process chlorine free (PCF) labels.
- Mead Grad Recycled 3-subject notebooks are made with 30% recycled paper and are $3.69 (virgin paper notebooks are $3.09).
- New Leaf Everest writing paper is 100% PCW and PCF.

Pencils and Pens:
Look for PCW products or for wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
- Sanford’s Paper Mate Earthwrite pencils and Wheely pens are examples of environmentally friendly writing utensils.
Pens made from cornstarch are 100% biodegradable.

White Out/Liquid Paper/Correction Tape:
Correction tape is a viable alternative to fluid, which is toxic, flammable, and harmful to your health. The tape is $0.84 more than the liquid.

Scissors, Rulers, and Binders:
Look for “No PVC” labels on plastic products (including backpacks) to ensure the produce does not contain vinyl, which is produced with and contains toxins that accumulate in the environment and living organisms.
- TuffStuff Recycled binders are $5.71 (regular binders are $5.45)

Many scissors and rulers are made from recycled steel, metal, or plastic and are often less expensive than the standard ones.
- Deskworks makes recycled stainless steel scissors with 30% recycled plastic handles.
- Acme Kleen Earth 12” recycled plastic ruler made with 70% PCW.

Miscellaneous Items:
- Tape Dispensers: 3M Scotch designer tape dispenser contains 50% PCW plastic
- Paper clips: Nature Saver recycled paper clips contain 25% PCW
- Planners: At-A-Glance DayMinder books contain 30% PCW paper

Lunch Containers:
Look for reusable lunch containers, such as traditional lunch boxes or fold up cloth bags from the Container Store, instead of paper bags that get thrown away. Also, to pack sandwiches and snacks, use reusable containers, such as Tupperware or Gladware, instead of plastic bags, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil that is usually thrown away after one use. Re-using containers cuts down on trash that goes to landfills and helps reduce the energy and raw materials used in making disposable bags and wraps.

Remember: Recyclable and recycled are not the same thing!

For other helpful tips for back to school shopping, please click here.
Sources: “Earth Friendly Finds,” Atlanta Parent, July 2005.
Grist Daily Magazine