Some fun, tree-free papers are
now made from alternative fibers such
as grasses, banana stalks, sugar cane,
bamboo, seaweed and cotton. Be-
cause these alternatives cost more than
everyday papers, they make a better
choice for stationery and personalized
note cards.
Pens & Pencils
Pencils are now available in either
recycled or FSC-certified wood. For-
est Stewardship Council certification
provides independent proof that the
wood comes from a forest managed ac-
cording to the most stringent practices
for environmental responsibility, social
benefit and long-term economic vi-
ability. Other environmentally friendly
options for pencils include those made
from recycled tires, T-shirts, newspaper
or money.
Refillable pens and mechanical pencils
are another option. Some are made
from used car headlights, CDs and
plastic shopping bags. It’s better to refill
than landfill.
Notebooks & Binders
Plastic is used in the manufacture tic or metals. are too far out of the way for a fuel-
of many school supplies, including The Center for Health, Environ- efficient trip, calling first or shopping
notebooks, binders, lunchboxes, pencil ment & Justice has a Back-To-School their online catalogs may help save
boxes, rulers, plastic-coated paperclips PVC-Free School Supply Guide avail- fuel costs. However, remember to
and scissors. Many of these items in- able on request by emailing them at recycle all extra packaging that mail
corporate PVC plastic. From its manu- chej@chej.org, specifying the item in order produces.
facture to disposal, PVC emits toxic the subject line. Or, download a copy Remember that the three Rs for go-
compounds. of the guide at TakeCareOfYourShare. ing back to school start at home, as we
More than 20 million tons of plas- com/pvcfree4school.pdf. reduce our current spending by reusing
tic end up in our landfills each year, and recycling what we already have
where scientists estimate that it will Easy Access on hand. Children can make a game
take hundreds of years to degrade. For eco-shopping convenience, most out of hunting down and collecting
The University of Missouri reports that of the major office supply stores have usable pens and pencils lying around
new biodegradable plastics are being done the homework for us, by creating the house. Get creative by dressing up
developed, although they’re not yet on their own line of environmentally safer an old, hand-me-down backpack for
the market. products. this year’s student, and add to the fun
Binders are now available that are Staples, for example, lists nearly by having children swap their newly
made from cardboard and 100 per- 3,000 products in its EcoEasy line; redecorated backpack with that of a
cent recycled chipboard. After use, the OfficeMax has some 1,700 environ- close friend.
binder cover and rings can be separated mentally preferred products; and Moving children away from a
and recycled. Office Depot offers a new Buy Green throwaway mindset may be one of the
storefront area, displaying products of most valuable environmental lessons
Backpacks “various shades of green.” Most school you can teach them.
Better backpacks are made from natural supplies, including recycled and sugar
fiber or nylon, rather than PVC. Soft- cane-based paper, recyclable binders
sided fabric lunch packs are a good and pens, pencils and even bulletin Betsy Franz, a freelance writer in
alternative to plastic. For other items, boards, made from recycled materials, Melbourne, FL, specializes in environ-
such as scissors, rulers and paper clips, will be available locally from one or mental topics. Learn more at:
choose items made from recycled plas- more of these outlets. If these stores NaturesDetails.net.
August 2009 41
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