School Supplies List Is Never Complete With The Green Essentials
Shopping for back to school supplies or college supplies can often be a big undertaking for parents. Even though most students will get a complete list of what they need, it doesn’t make actually shopping for these products all that easy.
There are so many different items out there to shop from, so how do you know which things you should actually be buying for your child when they go back to school? Of course, you will want to make sure that you get items that will last (so you don’t have to buy them again) but you should also look for eco-friendly options as well.
All parents want to make sure they are leaving the planet as a safe and healthy place for future generations, and an easy way to do this is to start buying more eco-friendly school supplies. The good news is, we have taken most of the work out of the equation for you. Here is a list of some of the top green and eco-friendly essential back-to-school supplies.
1. Michael Roger
Type of School Supply | Decomposition Book
Benefits | Made in the USA, Recycled Material, Soy Ink
Material | Recycled Paper
Price | See on
A great Decomposition Book (See on ) is a must-have item on many back to school lists. If you are looking for an eco-friendly version of your favorite everyday decomposition book, take a look at this option from Michael Roger. This notebook is a portable 7.5” x 9.75” size that is portable, and great for taking notes at school. However, our favorite feature has to be that this notebook is eco-friendly.
This college-ruled notebook is made out of 100% recycled paper. We love that this company takes unwanted and unused paper products and recycles them into school notebooks. Even the soy is eco-friendly and is printed with all, natural, organic soy ink. Plus, these everyday notebooks are handmade right here in the USA in a safe and responsible manufacturing facility.
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2. Lemon Compositions
Type of School Supply | Decomposition Book
Benefits | Recycled Material
Material | Recycled Paper
Price | See on
Every student heading back to school needs a great composition notebook. If this essential item is on your school list, then take a look at this eco-friendly option from Lemon Compositions (See on ). We love this college ruled notebook because of its fun design. If your child really loves the planet then they will love this notebook with its marine-biology theme on the front which features all types of sea life.
This notebook is made with recycled materials and features a soft cover instead of the traditional hard cover exterior—which many kids love. If you want a notebook that will really inspire you child’s sense of adventure then this notebook is a smart addition to their back-to-school haul.
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3. Tree-Free Greetings
Type of School Supply | Recomposition Book
Benefits | Reusable, Made in the USA, Recycled Material, Green E-Certified, Chlorine-Free
Material | Recycled Paper
Price | See on
If you are looking for a Recomposition Notebook, consider this option from Tree-Free Greetings (See on ). This soft cover journal notebook features 140 pages and has a soft cover that lets it lay flat when your child writes. The front of this soft notebook features a whimsical animal-design that will actually get your kids excited to pull out their notebook and start learning.
This isn’t the only thing that makes these soft notebooks unique either. This notebook is made out of 100% recycled materials. This paper is premium-quality, uncoated and completely chlorine-free. In fact, this paper is even made from a facility right here in the United States from a company that uses wind power to create their products. It is features like this that have helped this notebook receive a Green E-Certification for their environmental friendliness.
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4. Three Leaf Pens and Paper
Type of School Supply | Recycled Pencil Set
Benefits | Biodegradable, Recycled Material, Eco-Friendly
Material | Recycled Paper
Price | See on
If you are looking for a pack of pens and paper that are not only essential for your child’s education—but that are great for the environment as well—then consider this Three Leaf Paper Pencil Set (See on ). We love that this set of pencils is made out of recycled materials for a truly sustainable and eco-friendly product. These pencils are actually made out of torn up strips of recycled paper. But just because these pencils are made out of recycled papers, it doesn’t mean they aren’t still as hard as any typical wood pencil.
We love that these recycled and natural pencils are not only eco-friendly but biodegradable as well. This also means that they are safe for kids, so you don’t have to worry about any harsh chemicals ending up in your child’s back pack when they head to school.
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5. Chavi
Type of School Supply | Decomposition Book
Benefits | Recycled Newspaper, Natural, Non-Toxic
Material | Recycled Paper
Price | See on
Every student needs a great pack of pencils when they head back to school. However, if you are looking for a set of pencils that are not only long-lasting, but that are made out of recycled materials, then this set from Chavi (See on ) is for you. These pencils are eco-friendly and ecological because they are made out of 100% recycled paper and newspaper.
This gives these pencils a really a unique and fun look. This also make them environmentally-friendly and biodegradable. However, just because they are made of recycled paper it doesn’t mean that they aren’t as strong and sturdy as wood pencils. In fact, they can last 2-3 times longer than wood pencils do and are just as sturdy. Plus, since they are organic and natural, they are a great, non-toxic option that is completely safe for kids.
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6. Dixon Ticonderoga
Type of School Supply | Recycled Pencil
Benefits | Made in the USA, Recycled Material All-Natural
Material | Recycled Paper
Price | See on
There are many students and parents who know that Ticonderoga (See on ) pencils are some of the best and most highly-regarded pencils in the market. While Dixon Ticonderoga pencils are long-lasting and a great investment. However, many shoppers don’t realize that these pencils are also a great option for eco-friendly shoppers. These pencils are actually made out of recycled materials.
This brand takes wood scraps that are recycled and put together to make all-new pencils. In fact, these pencils are made out of 53% pre-consumer recycled wood products. Because this pencil uses less wood, less waste is created in the production of these pencils—making them a great eco-friendly option for shoppers who want to do their part to help the planet.
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7. Tombow
Type of School Supply | Eraser
Benefits | Natural Materials, Erases Ink, 100% Recycled Pulp Sleeve
Material | Natural Rubber Latex and Silica Grit
Price | See on
If you are looking for a great eraser for all of your kids projects? The right eraser can sometimes be underrated, but thanks to this Sand Erase from Tombow (See on ), you can have an all-in-one product that really works for your kids needs. This eraser is made with natural rubber latex and silica grit—making it a safe option for kids to use at school. It isn’t only safe either, it is also a powerful eraser that can handle rollerballs, ink marks, pencil marks, ballpoints and even some markers.
This all comes in an eraser that won’t hurt or damage your paper when you use it. We love that you can enjoy all of these features in an eraser that is non-toxic and natural. In fact, this company is so dedicated to doing their part to help the environment that even the sleeve of this eraser is made out of 100% recycled pulp and natural materials.
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8. Onyx and Green
Type of School Supply | 3-Pack Erasers
Benefits | Made in the USA, Recycled Material, Green, Environmentally-Friendly
Material | Recycled Rubber
Price | See on
Looking for a pack of Onyx and Green (See on ) erasers for your kids back-to-school list? These essential school supplies aren’t just an important product for daily classroom fun, but they can be an eco-friendly addition to your kid’s school supply list as well. These green erasers are environmentally-friendly and made out of recycled rubber materials.
This pack of erasers is eco-friendly and helps take unwanted rubber materials and repurpose them into functional erasers for kids. This company is so dedicated to doing their part to help the environment, that they even put these erasers in an eco-friendly recycled paper sleeve that makes for easy gripping.
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9. FLOMO
Type of School Supply | Erasers
Benefits | Non-Toxic, PVC-Free, Made in the USA, Charcoal
Material | Recycled Charcoal and TPE
Price | See on
If you are looking for an all-natural eraser for your child’s back-to-school list, then consider this FLOMO (See on ) Non-Toxic Natural Charcoal Eraser. As the name suggests, this erase is made entirely out of non-toxic materials. Plus, it harnesses the power of all-natural charcoal which is a pure substance that is known for its ability to pull out unwanted properties—making it a great option for erasers.
We love that these non-toxic erasers are completely safe for kids to use as they are made with a material known as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) which is an eco-friendly, biodegradable material that you can actually feel good about having in your kids products. The rest of the eraser is made out of recycled charcoal for a truly sustainable product.
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10. Simply Genius
Type of School Supply | Clicking Pens
Benefits | Made in the USA, Recycled Material, Eco-Friendly
Material | Recycled Paper
Price | See on
If you are looking for a simple journal for your student’s everyday writing, then consider these Simply Genius Journaling Supplies (See on ). If you are looking for a medium point pen that isn’t just long-lasting but eco-friendly as well—this pack of pens is sure to fit your child’s needs. Plus, we love that they come in a super pack of 100 pens, so they will be set for the entire year.
What is perhaps most unique about these pens is that they are made out of recyclable cardboard and completely biodegradable—which is something most pen companies cannot offer. Even some of the parts on the inside of the pen are eco-friendly as well—they are made of half ABS plastic and half wheat stalk. This makes these pens super environmentally-friendly and a great solution for those who want to do their part to decrease plastic waste.
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11. Eco Pen Club
Type of School Supply | Ball Point Pen
Benefits | Biodegradable, Recycled Material, Recyclable
Material | Recycled Materials
Price | See on
This Eco Pen Club (See on ) has quality pens that not only have a long life and a smooth writing style—but these pens are actually eco-friendly as well. This pen has fast-drying ink and is super easy to write with—plus they are long-lasting which means you don’t have to worry about replacing them often in the middle of the year.
You may notice that these pens don’t look like your average pen products. This is because they are truly made to help better the planet. We love that these pens are very eco-friendly. In fact, they are completely biodegradable and made out of recyclable materials, meaning you can feel good about buying these truly sustainable pens for your child’s back-to-school list.
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12. Pilot
Type of School Supply | Refillable Ball Point Pen
Benefits | Reusable, Made in the USA, Recycled Material, Refillable Pen
Material | Recycled Water Bottles
Price | See on
A lot of students already love Pilot (See on ) pens, because they are long-lasting and easy to write with. However, thee is even more to love about these popular pens. These Pilot B2P Retractable Pens are made out of recycled bottles that are repurposed to make pens, and to help keep discarded bottles out of our landfills.
We not only love that this brand is committed to helping the planet by using recycled materials, but that these pens also help by being completely refillable. This means you don’t have to worry about discarding your pens when the ink starts to wear out (which can be wasteful). Instead, you can reuse the plastic recycled shell and keep your pen going for a long time to come.
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13. Paper Mate
Type of School Supply | Biodegradable Retractable Ballpoint Pen
Benefits | Eco-Friendly, Biodegradable
Material | Biodegradable Materials
Price | See on
Paper Mate (See on ) pens are some of the most popular pens out there. They are easy, practical and long-lasting. However, our favorite feature of these Paper Mate Ballpoint Pens is that they are completely biodegradable. This means, you cannot only feel good about buying pens that are going to last a long time, but feel good knowing that these pens are good for the environment as well.
These pens are made entirely from biodegradable materials. This means you can do your part to help reduce your carbon footprint—just by buying these pens. These pens also use less energy and less petroleum in their creation. With Paper Mate’s moto on helping the planet you can easily do your part to do just a little at a time to help the environment.
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14. BookFactory
Type of School Supply | Left-Handed Notebook
Benefits | Veteran-Owned, Made in the USA,
Material | Recycled Paper
Price | See on
This notebook from BookFactory (See on ) is the perfect everyday notebook for any student who is left-handed. There are a lot of young students who are left-handed and learning how to write, who struggle with tradition notebooks. This notebook helps remove that confusion from the equation. This notebook actually can be used from back to front, making it easier for kids who are left handed to write with comfort.
We love this unique design and the company behind it. BookFactory is a veteran-owned firm and they proudly are based in the United States. In fact, all of their books are produced at a facility in Ohio and adhere to safe manufacturing operations.
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15. MC SQUARES
Type of School Supply | Dry Erase Sticky Note
Benefits | Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Plant a Tree
Material | Reusable White Board
Price | See on
These adhesive-free stickers from mcSquares (See on ) are perfect for all types of students. These dry erase stickers can help any student get organized and set themselves helpful reminders. These sticky notes are made out of a premium whiteboard surface that is easy to write on and easy to erase. Plus, it sticks like a magnet to virtually any shiny surface using the unique micro-suction technology.
However, our favorite feature has to be that with these reusable squares, you are doing your part to help save the planet. Traditional paper sticky notes waste 250,000 trees every year—and you never have to worry about buying paper sticky notes again with these squares. Instead, you can use them over and over again. Plus, mcSquares will actually plant a new tree for every pack of sticky notes they sell—so you are really doing your part to help the planet.
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Quality School Supplies, You Will Actually Feel Good About Buying
While a lot of parents understandably don’t like buying school supplies—this school supplies list of eco-friendly friendly items will actually have you feeling good about shopping for back-to-school. We love that these back-to-school and college supplies are not only some of the best essentials your child will need when they head back to the classroom, but that they are eco-friendly options as well. Many of these products are biodegradable, organic and made out of recycled materials that are repurposed in a way that will help make keep the planet safe and healthy for future generations.
Rebekah Pierce is a professional social blogger and has worked on several online publications including Citrus Sleep. Rebekah is an experienced content writer and copyeditor. You will find many of her works throughout CitrusSleep.com that cover a wide array of subjects including sleep education, natural, sleep products, electronics, fashion and many more. She is passionate about her work and family.
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