Shopping for eco-friendly, cheap school supplies doesn't require a Ph.D. -- or a lot of money. Here's a cheap school supplies list that includes green school supplies to make an eco-friendly back-to-school easier and less expensive -- for students as well as their parents.
1. Buy Fewer School Supplies
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The temptations are everywhere, but buying new backpacks, new art supplies, new markers and pens, and new dorm room linens, artwork and furnishings not only gets expensive, it adds to the cycle of manufacture-ship-store-dispose that's ruining the planet (not to put too fine a point on it). Try buying less stuff, and you'll have that much less crap to throw away at the end of the school year. But if you need to shop, choose recycled, used or vintage items, and avoid oil-based plastics and non-recyclable items.
2. Safer Art Supplies
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Especially for younger students, look for art supplies that contain non-toxic ingredients. Water-based paints are a safer choice than paints that contain solvents and synthetic pigments. Certain types of modeling clays contain phthalates; safer alternatives exist. And avoid markers that are scented -- they encourage kids to sniff, thereby inhaling a host of chemicals. Finally, instant, super and "krazy" glues contain toxic solvents; most water-based glues and glue sticks are a better choice.
3. Hand Sanitizers for School
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Parents and other health experts encourage the use of hand sanitizers when soap and water (a better option for getting rid of both germs and dirt) isn't available. The best sanitizers are at least 60% alcohol and contain no fragrance or dyes. And soaps that contain triclosan or other antibacterial agents are not recommended because they encourage the growth and spread of antibiotic-resistant "superbugs."
4. Back-to-School Backpack Blues
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As much as I hate to see 8-year-olds lugging home 50 lbs. of books, the overstuffed backpack is here to stay. There's no shortage of packs made of recycled material, with solar panels for recharging iPods and cell phones, and other green features. (Of course, your greenest option is to keep using the backpack from last year.)
5. Back-to-School Lunch Boxes
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A host of safe, smart lunch boxes and bags are now available. These contain no PVC, no BPA and no phthalates. Look for reusable lunch bags of organic cotton, unpainted stainless steel, or safe plastics. You can also add reusable metal or plastic utensils and water bottles, and reduce the number of disposable wrappers, napkins, utensils and other items.
6. The Green Dorm Room
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Green it up with as many recycled, used or vintage items from home or thrift shops as you can. Add a recycling bin for all the paper, plastic, metal and other recyclables you'll be tossing. And if you're shopping for new items, choose those that will last longer than one semester, and remember to opt for greener items whenever you can.
