Tip of the Day - Greener Back to School Shopping
Posted on August 8, 2008 by
When you were in school, how many times did you end the year with no paper left in your notebook, no pencil left to your pencil, and no ink left in your pens and markers? How many times did you chuck half-used erasers, and slightly nubby pencils in favor of shiny new ones when it was time to go back to school?
Before you buy new supplies, go through the ones from last year and make sure you keep anything that’s usable. Of course, old crayons aren’t as exciting as new ones. Explain to your kids that using up what you already have is better for the environment than buying new. When you need to replace supplies, look for greener options.
You already know to buy recycled paper, right? Well, Greenline Paper Company takes recycled school supplies to a new level with items like the Rebinder. The Rebinder is 100% recyclable (unlike it’s vinyl covered counterparts) and when it wears out after years of use, you can replace the cover.
Greenline also has pens made from recycled plastic, pencils made from recycled money, and rulers made from old blue jeans.
But even if you’re doing last minute shopping and don’t have time to order school supplies, look for paper products made from post consumer waste, eco-friendly pens, and pencils made from post consumer waste. You should be able to find them in most office supply, big box, or stationary shops.
Hey Allie!
Great tips, and timely too. I’ve always felt so great buying new school supplies… still, even, and I’m 28 with no kids! But the last couple times, I’ve realized how wasteful the process can be and what plastic-junk items get marketed and bought.
Most recently, I did go through allllllll of my stash to find that I can keep and reuse most, I have over 1000 brand-new pens and pencils (I should donate almost all of them!), loads of highlighters, and paper. The last two notebooks I bought, I made sure they were cardboard and natural fiber only (minus the metal 3-ringer inside). It felt really great.
Granted finding some of these items, especially affordably, can take a little extra time, but alas, SO WORTH IT.
BTW, I am back, Lady, but with a new site, so the url is different, but this time, it’s mine.
I’ve missed your blog, and am so pumped to be back and checking your tips, Allie!
Tschau!
Hi Allie. I checked out the Zebra pen, and while I do think it’s more environmentally-friendly than most disposable pens, I just wanted to mention the option of buying a truly refillable fountain pen. I use a Lamy fountain pen with a cartridge converter which allows me to refill it directly from a bottle of ink rather than buying disposable refill cartridges. I have two of them: one that I keep at work and one that I use at home and carry in my bag.
The only thing about these pens is that they are expensive and require vigilance not to lose them. Maybe not so great for kids who do tend to lose things. But I’ve had mine for over a year and have not lost one yet (knock wood.) Anyway, I love that there’s nothing to throw away. Eventually, the glass ink bottle will run out and have to be recycled. And it does have a plastic cap. But I think it’s a lot less plastic in the long run than disposable pens or cartridges.
Beth