I'm not entirely sure about the cost comparison between some of these products and their non-earth friendly counterparts - heck, it is hard to beat 25 cent boxes of pencils and pens - even if they come from non-sustainable rainforest trees!
(PS - the links don't work - mostly because I don't feel like adding them - so type them in the old fashioned way if you don't mind!)
Green Guide 121 | July/August 2007 | Checkout Counter
This school year, eco-savvy kids and parents, aware of the almost four million acres of U.S. forest clearcut annually (not to mention the tons of discarded cell phones), return to store shelves seeking greener academic supplies and electronics. Yet some still find themselves at a loss. "I was recently at a major office supply chain to buy recycled or biodegradable pens and binders," says Ellyn Feerick, a middle school teacher in Danvers, Mass., "but forget about it—they don't exist." Never fear. With some sleuthing, you can find more resources than ever to suit the environmentally minded student.
Electronics
Time for a new PC? Pick energy-efficient products with take-back programs. The Zero Waste Program's Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), which restricts heavy metals and other toxic substances, gives high marks to Lenovo Thinkcentre desktops (from $390; www.lenovo.com, 866-96-THINK) , as well as to Precision and Latitude laptops from Dell, with its comprehensive take-back policies (from $549; www.dell.com, 800-757-8434). Or order a custom-built Energy Star-certified PC from Cade PC (starting at $845; www.cadepc.com, 888-822-3372), which uses lead-free components, offsets its carbon emissions and will take back computers for recycling. And, for a $10 fee, old computer equipment can be recycled at Staples stores, even if bought elsewhere.
Keep cell phones, with their flame retardants and metals, out of landfills. Nokia and Sony Ericsson offer postage-paid return programs for used phones. Recycle your child's old phone with ReCellular (www.recellular.net, 800-441-1544).
When school shopping is done, add up this year's receipts with a TI36X solar calculator from Texas Instruments ($19.99; www.amazon.com).
Packing Lunch
School lunches can leave a mountain of waste, from disposable paper sacks and throwaway plastic packaging to over a half a pound of food waste per person every day.
"Unfortunately, I see more pre-packaged lunches and other disposable items in the cafeteria than I would like," says Feerick. Cut down on wrappers and boost your children's health by loading them up with organic fruits, vegetables and healthier sandwiches.
Avoid hormone-disrupting bisphenol A from #7 plastic water bottles. Pick Klean Kanteen's 18-ounce bottle for lunchboxes ($13.50; www.greenfeet.com, 888-562-8873).
Choose PVC-free wrappings: certified organic or recycled cotton canvas lunch sacks from Ecobags ($6; www.ecobags.com, 800-720-2247); cellophane wrap made from the cellulose of well-managed cottonwood trees ($20.50/12 in. x 110 ft. roll) and biodegradable and compostable forks and spoons made from GMO-free potatoes ($4.25/50 forks or spoons; both from www.greenearthofficesupply.com, 800-327-8449).
Writing Paper and Notebooks
Academic paper use generates mountains of waste—28 pounds per year for each student, teacher and staff member in one New York City school alone. Choose processed chlorine free (PCF) paper, avoiding releases of dioxin and mercury in the bleaching process, and the highest percentages of recycled post-consumer waste (PCW) available.
Office Max 100 Percent PCW Multipurpose paper, PCF ($7.49/500 sheets; www.officemax.com, 800-283-7674)
Ampad 40 percent PCW one-, three- and five-subject notebooks ($5.29-$8.29; www.staples.com, 800-3STAPLES)
Smart Paper Torchglow PCF, 30 percent PCW recycled paper, available in a variety of colors ($5.67/500 sheets; www.greenlinepaper.com, 800-641-1117)
Pens, Pencils, Supplies
EcoWriter 90 percent PCW pencils ($0.25; www.greenlinepaper.com, 800-641-1117) or Forest Choice #2 cedar pencils, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council ($1.99/12; www.forestchoice.com)
Skilcraft recycled plastic medium point pens ($3.42/12; www.greenlinepaper.com, 800-641-1117); biodegradable corn-starch pens ($13.20/12; www.greenearthofficesupply.com, 800-327-8449)
Least toxic, washable and acid-free OIC glue sticks ($1.79; www.staples.com, 800-3STAPLES)
LePage cellulose-based transparent tape ($0.87/roll; www.greenearthofficesupply.com, 800-327-8449)
Folders, Binders and Books
Abundant Earth recycled notebook binders with reusable spine, up to 38 percent PCW content ($9.95/5-pack of 5 covers; www.abundantearth.com, 888-51-EARTH)
1- to 3-ring binders from Sustainable Group, with minimum of 40 percent PCW cardboard (from $47.60/case; www.treecycle.com, 406-626-0200); Oxford 30 percent PCW cardboard report covers ($22.99/box of 25; www.officedepot.com, 800-GO-DEPOT)
Bags, Backpacks and Footwear
Earthpak colorful SMOSHO bag, made from up to 98 percent recycled plastic bottles ($42.95; www.earthpak.com, 888-5-EARTHPAK)
Simple Shoes "feedbags" and backpacks include cotton, jute, wool and recycled plastic bottles ($70-$100; www.simpleshoes.com, 866-896-3708)
Hemp cinch school backpacks, available in regular or "mini" size from Eco Body Wear ($34.99; www.ecobodywear.com); Sierra Club 100 percent certified organic cotton Cinch Sak ($34; www.sierraclub.org, 800-797-6728)
Ecogoods organic cotton socks ($9.95; www.ecogoods.com, 831-429-5758); Splaff flip-flops,100 percent PCW rubber and hemp ($38-$42; www.thegreenloop.com, 866-898-5483)
Once you've bought your children's supplies, encourage the kids to start their own school recycling program. Organize "waste free" classroom or lunchroom days or educate peers to save energy by switching off lights. Inspire class projects and your child's interest in community with The Kids Guide to Service Projects by Barbara A. Lewis and Pamela Espeland (Free Spirit Publishing, 1995, $12.95).
For More Information
* EPEAT, www.epeat.net
* Greenpeace Green Electronics Report, www.greenpeace.org
* Conservatree's Paper Choices Guide, www.conservatree.org
