Back to school time is here and we’ve rounded up the best eco friendly school supplies for 2023!
As summer comes to a close and the fall season begins, it is time to start gathering school supplies for the upcoming school year. Depending on the grade your child is in, depends on the type of supplies you’ll need. This year, instead of picking the standard, well-known school supply brands, opt for eco friendly school supplies instead!
I’ve created a great list of common school supplies with eco friendly and nontoxic alternatives! As a parent of two kids and an environmental educator, I know how important reliable school supplies are for a successful education year. The supplies in this post are sure to not only benefit your child but also lower your impact on the planet.
Throughout this blog post, keep in mind that as humans on this planet, everything we do has an impact on the planet. I always talk about making the best environmental decision for your family at any given time, depending on your circumstances. School supplies are no exception! You may not be able to buy all the eco friendly school supplies I’ve listed below, but this will give you an idea of options to help lower your impact and create a more sustainable supply closet!
This post is all about the best eco friendly school supplies for 2023!
1. Pencils (#2 and mechanical)
Are you team mechanical pencil or wooden pencil? Check out these alternatives to traditional pencils!
Grab this 5-pack of pencils that give back. After you’re finished with these pencils you can plant them! These pencils are lead-free and contain either herb, flower, or vegetable seeds. The entire pencil is biodegradable making this an excellent zero waste option for students! In addition, the box these pencils come in is FSC certified. Every tree that is harvested is replaced by planting another one.
If you’re looking for something more traditional, check out this Bic Revolution pen made from 65% recycled plastic. Choosing recycled plastic is always nice because it promotes a circular economy. Anytime we can make a product using materials that have already been extracted, we are decreasing our impact and being more eco friendly!
2. Notebook (spiral, bound, composition)
This is the coolest notebook I’ve ever seen! You can instantly erase this notebook and make it brand new by microwaving it! Yup, reuse this notebook over and over again using the included pen. Download their app to easily convert your notes into your Dropbox or Google cloud!
3. Crayons
These Honeystick crayons are perfectly sized for toddlers’ hands! They’re large and chunky and made from 100% beeswax! These crayons write incredibly well and don’t contain the traditional waxy feeling associated with regular crayons.
Here is a super fun way to recycle old crayons and turn them into new crayons!
4. Highlighters
Have you ever heard of highlighter crayons? These eco pencils are made from wood instead of plastic! The highlighter pencil glides easily and shows up well on paper. These may not be the best highlighters for glossy paper in magazines or textbooks, but regular paper without shine is very compatible with these highlighters.
5. Pencil Case
Here is the perfect pencil case for your eco friendly pencils. This organic pencil case is made from organic cotton. Terra Thread is the company of this sustainable school supply. The company is carbon neutral and a certified B Corp.
6. Markers
Whether you’re a college student or school shopping for your child’s first day of school, markers are a staple on the eco friendly back to school supplies list! I’m not in school and I still use markers. They’re perfect for planners, writing lists, and doing crafts. Here are some of my favorite eco friendly markers:
7. Glue
Onyx and Green glue sticks are plant-based glue sticks! This makes them non-toxic and extremely kid-friendly. These glue sticks are not messy and dry clear!
If liquid glue is what you’re looking for, check out this plant-based glue for the school year. Similar to the glue sticks, this glue is not toxic and plant-based. It dries clear and sticks great!
8. Eraser
Don’t forget to add these eco friendly erasers to your eco friendly school supplies! Made from recycled rubber erasers. These erasers are sustainable and work well. They don’t leave behind streaks and marks and they actually erase away the pencil well. Grab a pack of recycled rubber erasers from Amazon.
9. Scissors
These scissors are great eco friendly school supplies because they’re made from recycled plastic handles! I’ll always advocate for materials made from recycled plastic because taking items that would otherwise be waste and making them into something usable is essential to sustainability.
Here are great eco friendly scissors for kids!
10. Lunchbox
If your child is a prime snacker like mine, these silicone Bento boxes are the best! Mix and match different snacks to make lunchtime even more fun. These bento boxes are dishwasher safe, durable, and leakproof!
11. Snack Packs
As you gather your eco friendly school supplies, don’t forget about these reusable snack packs! I have tried many reusable snack bags, many. These are the best reusable snack packs available! They are incredibly durable and thick. They zip well and clean easily in the dishwasher. These are pricey because they will last for years and are so versatile. Use them for snacks, sandwiches, or even to store school supplies if you need to!
12. Backpack
No back-to-school eco-friendly school supplies are complete without a backpack! If you’re not reusing your backpack from the previous year(s), check out this book bag from Terra Thread! Not only is this book bag a minimal, timeless look, it is also made from organic cotton! Backpack features include side pockets for your reusable water bottle, a front pocket with a zipper, a hanging inside pocket, and a laptop compartment for 13-15 inch laptops!
13. Hand sanitizer
This is one of the and most effective non-toxic hand sanitizer you need to add to your eco friendly school supplies list! I love a spray hand sanitizer because it is less messy and very easy to get full coverage with one or two sprays. Honest Compnay is one of my favorite brands for their less toxic products. I especially love that it doesn’t leave your hands wet and sticky! The scent is light and this is so easy for on the go.
14. Folders
Folders are a necessity for students to store their papers and other important materials. These pocket folders are both eco friendly and zero waste. The paper is made from 100% recycled fiber. You can choose various colors or stick to the natural color pictured below.
15. Dry erase markers
These markers not only work incredibly well, but they’re also refillable. Having refillable options is great because you can use them over and over again.
16. Pens
I love these pens because they are made from recycled bottles! Being that only 9% of plastic actually gets recycled, it is great to support an initiative that is working to use recycled materials to create something new!
17. Printer Paper and Loose-leaf paper
No eco friendly school supplies list is complete without paper! Virgin paper us up a large number of trees and water. By purchasing recycled paper, you are reducing waste, conserving water, and contributing to a more circular economy. Paper is one of the top items found in landfills! Recycling paper and buying items made of recycled paper is incredibly important to help you reduce your impact and have a more sustainable school year!
18. Solar Powered Scientific Calculator
A solar-powered calculator! This calculator is tried and true. It is not only lightweight and durable, but you also don’t have to worry about changing the batteries. This calculator can be used for basic calculations, trigonometry, and calculus.
19. Index cards
Index cards make the perfect study tool during the school year. Add these index cards to your eco friendly school supplies list because they’re made from recycled paper! These index cards are still easy to write on and hold ink well.
20. Protractor and Ruler
This bamboo set of protractors by Onyx and Green are great eco friendly school supplies that will be both sustainable and effective. This set contains twelve items and contains a wide variety of materials from post-consumer and post-industrial recycled materials to bamboo, stone, corn starch, sugar cane, and biodegradable and natural fabrics!
21. Sticky notes
Don’t forget to add these recycled paper sticky notes to your eco friendly school supplies! Sticky notes are such a great item to incorporate into your supplies. They’re helpful for studying and are often used in lessons in the classroom. If you’re looking for physical sticky notes, check out these from Earth Hero. These Onyx and Green sticky notes are made out of 70% recycled paper!
22. Planner
There are so many planners available. Happy Planner is my favorite because they are vibrant, inspirational, motivational, and refillable! At first, I didn’t understand the concept of refillable planners, but now I love them! You can buy new pages to go inside your planner and keep the cover instead of constantly having to buy a new planner. It also means you can add pages to your planner as needed. There are so many options for Happy Planners, but here is a great one from Target!
23. Reusable water bottle
Don’t forget the reusable bottles! I’ve tried a lot of reusable water bottles and this Hydro Flask is the best water bottle I’ve ever owned. It has survived many falls (including one from the top of my car once I pulled off and forget it was there) and it keeps my water ice cold. I can fill it up with ice and it will remain cold all day long. There is a larger size for adults, but also smaller sizes for kids.
24. Paper Towels
Instead of traditional paper towels made from trees, try Reel paper towels! These paper towels are made from bamboo. Bamboo is a much more sustainable plant that regenerates quickly! These paper towels are still incredibly absorbent and efficient, but they’re also more gentle on the planet!
25. Liquid Soap
If your child is in pre-K or elementary school we know hand soap is definitely on the school supply list. You can still make it eco-friendly! This school year, try Everyone Hand Soap. Not only does this soap smell amazing, but it is also certified by EWG and is non toxic. This product is not tested on animals, cleans well, and is incredibly gentle on the skin!
26. Binders
If binders are on your list this year, you’ll want to try these plant-based binders! Yes! Plant-based. These binders are made with both plant-based and recyclable materials making it a great choice for your backpack, and the planet. These specific binders are 1.5 inches thick and come in a few color designs. They’re sturdy and built to last with natural materials. Using these binders is another way to decrease your plastic waste with eco friendly school supplies this year!
27. Pencil Organizer
Keep those pencils tidy with an organizer made from recycled materials. Look for ones crafted from bamboo or recycled plastic. Bamboo pencil organizers are not only aesthetic, but also eco friendly! Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants and regnerates quickly making it more sustainable than traditional plastic pencil organizers.
28. Pencil Sharpener
Say goodbye to plastic shavings with a metal pencil sharpener. I love these metal pencil sharpeners! These sharpeners last longer and can be recycled at the end of their life cycle. Plus, they’re more sturdy than the plastic ones. The blades are quality which helps to guaranteed a sharpened pencil without chipped lead pieces!
29. Colored Pencils
Opt for colored pencils made from sustainably sourced wood. Brands like Faber-Castell and Staedtler offer fantastic options that are both vibrant and environmentally friendly.
30. Ruler
Try a bamboo ruler! I love this Onyx and Green wood which is crafted from natural bamboo. Instead of traditional plastic rulers, this material is more environmentally friendly. The ruler is packaged in plastic-free, recyclable packaging and works great.
31. Tape
When it comes to eco friendly tape, I have a hard time finding tape that actually works, but also has a more positive impact on the environment. Currently I use the Magic Tape dispenser that is made from 60% recycled material. Whiel this isn’t 100% recyclable, it does use some recyclable materials which helps to encourage a market for recycling.
32. Stapler
This stapler is made out of wood! This item is a must-have for paper products when you’re considering your eco friendly school supplies list. This wooden stapler is a plastic-free option for school supplies.
If wooden staplers are not your thing, try this stapleless stapler! Since staplers are single use, using a stapler that doesn’t use staples is a great sustainable item to include in your eco friendly school supplies list!
33. Paper Clips
Did you know paper clips are more sustainable than staplers because they can reused over and over again? Staples, on the other hand, are single-use items. While I understand the need for a stapler and think it is important to have one with you, if you’re looking for sustainable school supplies that can be reused, consider some paperclips!
34. Dictionary
Instead of a traditional paper dictionary, consider using an app or online resource. But if you prefer a physical book, opt for dictionaries printed on recycled paper. They’re durable and eco-friendly!
35. Umbrella
A durable, eco-friendly umbrella made from 100% recyclable plastic bottles! This umbrella is perfect for those unexpected rain showers. Not only are you covered from the rain, but also showering the Earth with some love as well. Orginial Duckhead is a fantastic brand with quality materials that are not only beautiful, but also long lasting.
36. Tissues
Try tree free facial tissues! These tissues are often made from bamboo and are a more sustainable alternative to traditional facial tissues. This helps with deforestation and reducing waste! They’re soft, strong, and much kinder to the environment.
37. Sunscreen
Protect your skin and the planet with eco-friendly sunscreen. Look for mineral-based sunscreens that come in recyclable or compostable packaging. They’re gentle on your skin and the ocean!
I hope you enjoyed this post about these top eco friendly school supplies!
You can find even more eco friendly school supplies from Earth Here here!
The start of a new school year is always incredibly exciting. Grabbing school supplies and new clothes ignite a sense of fresh, new beginnings. This year, remember to choose eco friendly and zero waste school supplies. Don’t forget to reuse as much from the previous year as you can and consider shopping secondhand for what you need!
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