Eco-Friendly School Supplies

Going back to school might not be top of everyones list of fun things to do, but it’s necessary, as is buying all that new stationary, maybe a new school bag and school shoes, and for many children a uniform as well. Depending on your childs schools requirements, you might not have a lot of choice when it comes to buying an eco-friendly school uniform (I have included some options below), but there are plenty of eco-friendly school supplies available for everything else.

One of the things that used to make going back to school after the summer holidays a little more bearable was heading to Woolworths for my school supplies. There’s nothing quite like a brand new pad of paper which you vow to write neatly in. (Lasts about 2 days at most before your handwriting looks like a drunk spider walked in some ink and went for a wander across your notepad!).

Eco-Friendly School Supplies

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Eco-Friendly Notepads

Rocketbook – Reusable Notebook

This is so cool. It’s an endlessly reusable notebook. No need for a stack of notepads any longer, so you’re helping to reduce the number of trees being cut down.

Write in it just like you would with a normal pen and paper and then use a wet cloth to clean the page before reusing it. Download the app and all your notes will be saved to the cloud.

As soon as my notepads have run out this is definitely on my ‘to buy’ list.

Rocketbook Everlast Smart Reusable Notebook – A5 Size. They have other reusable notepads available as well.

Recycled Notepads

If the Rocketbook seems a bit too much then make sure you buy notepads made from recycled paper instead. There are loads available. Some have hardcovers made from recycled bamboo, some donate to a good cause, some are even made from elephant dung…

The most commonly found eco-friendly notebooks are made from recycled paper.

Eco-Friendly Pens

Refillable Pen

The number of pens that end up in landfill is not great so why not buy a refillable pen? These beautiful looking Akamba Ink Pens are made in Kenya, by Kenyan artisans from wild olive wood.

They’re fair trade and they accept Bic Stick refills.

Confusingly the description calls them batik bone pens but says they’re made from wood; it’s possible that they include bone or that’s just the name of the style…

Akamba Ink Pens

Pen that lasts for 7 years

A pen that looks super cute and lasts for 7 years? Yes please… but hold up, this pen may be super cute but it is also super expensive. If it really does last 7 years then it’s worth the investment, just don’t lend it to anyone, ever!

Seven Year Pen – Bee Happy

Eco-Friendly Pencils

Sprout – Plantable Pencils

Out of all the eco-friendly pencils you can buy I think these are the best by far. This particular set includes 2 graphite pencils and 6 coloured pencils.

Why are they so good? These pencils are non-toxic, biodegradable, made from sustainably sourced materials and use sustainable production techniques. Not only that but they are FSC certified wood, which means that every time a tree is harvested another one is planted.

When your pencil is too short to use you can plant it because at the tip is a seed!

Sprout Pencils – Plantable Biodegradable Graphite Pencils

Eco-Friendly Pencil Cases

Natural Jute and Cotton

I’m a big fan of natural colours so when I spotted this pencil case I was immediately interested. It’s really more of a wallet than a pencil case but I really like that, and at least it’ll be different to everyone else’s!

The wallet is made from natural jute and cotton and comes with a wooden button to fasten it. It also includes a 15cm bamboo ruler, pencil and pen, a wooden pencil sharpener and a rubber. All the basics any back to school kit needs!

Natural Jute and Cotton Pencil Case, Bamboo Ruler Pencil Pen Sharpener Eraser

Cork

Here’s another unique looking pencil case. It’s made out of eco-friendly natural cork material and can be used as a pencil case, a glasses case or to store something else. When it’s not being used it folds flat.

Natural Cork Triangular Pencil Case

100% Jute

This is a more traditional looking pencil case but is made from recycled Jute fabric. They can also be used to hold make up.

Pencil case Made of Jute Sack – Recycled Round

Recycled

The most traditional of all of them, but this one is not made from natural materials. It is, however, made from 95% post-consumer recycled material, so you’re helping to reduce the amount sent to landfill.

Blue Q Pencil Case Hoo-S Next

Eco-Friendly Rulers

If your child doesn’t need a filled pencil case and is just looking for a ruler there are a few different options available. There are quite a few bamboo rulers of differing lengths you can buy, alternatively why not buy a stainless steel ruler. If you’re ok with plastic (at least a ruler isn’t single use!), then make sure you buy a recycled plastic one.

• Bamboo – Onyx and Green 12-Inch/30 cm Ruler, Bamboo
• Stainless Steel – ZARRS Stainless Steel Ruler, Kit including 12 Inch and 6 Inch Ruler with Storage Bag
• Recycled Plastic – Rulex Recycled 15cm 6 inch Flat Oval Metric Scale Ruler

Desk Tidy / Organisers

When I was growing up every one of my friends had a plastic pen pot on their desk. A variety of cylinders of differing heights useful for storing rulers, pens, pencils, paper clips…. everything really. But who wants plastic? I’ve found some great alternatives from simple wooden pen holders to full desk organisers, all far more eco-friendly than a colourful plastic pot.

1. Kanitry Desk Organizer Wooden Holder Pencil Pen Box Kids DIY Colouring Case Clay Tools
2. woodluv Bamboo Desk Tidy Storage Organiser Unit Holder Box
3. OSCO Bamboo Desk Organiser
4. Desktop Storage Box 5 Compartments

Eco-Friendly Lunch Boxes

If you’re trying to be plastic free then there are a variety of stainless steel food containers or bento boxes available that would be perfect as lunch boxes. I’m not going to go into a huge amount of detail here, take a look at Eco-Friendly Food Containers, where I discuss eco-friendly food containers and lunch boxes in more detail.

Eco-Friendly School Bags / Backpacks

My personal preference here would be to buy a canvas bag as I prefer not to buy any plastic at all (when possible), but they aren’t always the best in a rainy UK. You can waterproof canvas yourself by waxing it, or you can compromise and go for a bag made from recycled materials.

Hemp

Let’s be honest, your teenager would probably love to walk around with a cannabis design on their bag, but their school, or you, might not be as keen. Hemp is a great eco-friendly material, but it is very hard to find hemp bags without some sort of hemp related motif on them.

Core Hemp 100% Hemp Crossbody Messenger Bag – Unisex

Recycled Water Bottles

I think these backpacks look really nice and they’re made from recycled water bottles which is fantastic. We go through so many water bottles that finding ways to use them rather than chucking them away is pretty important. They come in a variety of colours.

ecogear Dhole Laptop Backpack – pink, black or green

Check out more eco-friendly bags.

Eco-Friendly School Uniform

As mentioned before, you might not have a lot of choice when it comes to buying school uniforms. Some schools insist on certain suppliers and the dress code can be so strict that finding an equivalent, but completely plastic free, version of say a blue skirt might be impossible.

You should however have some choice available to you when buying school shirts and jumpers. Always try to go for 100% natural cotton (organic and sustainable ideally) or other natural material. There are already enough micro-plastics in the sea and the environment that wherever you can you should avoid plastic in your clothes.

One item of clothing you should have full control over is socks!

Bamboo Socks

Bamboo is definitely my favourite material at the moment. It’s extremely environmentally friendly and can be used in a variety of ways. Bamboo socks are very soft and they have anti-bacterial properties as well as allowing your feet to breathe (perfect for boys smelly feet!). These bamboo socks come in a variety of colours, although I imagine black or white would be the most appropriate for school kids!

If you are buying anything made from bamboo fabric, make sure you buy the eco-friendly bamboo fabric… I know, nothing’s ever simple is it?

Bamboo Socks

There you have it, eco-friendly school supplies for all your back to school needs. Feel free to suggest anything I might have forgotten in the comments below and I’ll be sure to add it in.

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