The Ultimate Guide to Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly School Supplies for 2024

As a parent, you want the best for your kids - especially when it comes to their health and the environment. With back-to-school season upon us, it's time to stock up on supplies. But this year, why not make a conscious choice to go green and non-toxic? With various studies discovering all sorts of chemicals lurking in products even for kids, it is our responsibility as parents to do our research and opt for safer alternatives. In this guide, we'll explore the world of eco-friendly and non-toxic school supplies, helping you make informed decisions that are good for your children and the planet. Let's dive in!

Why Choose Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly School Supplies?

1. Health Benefits: Traditional school supplies often contain harmful chemicals that can potentially cause health issues ranging from allergies to hormonal disruptions .
2. Environmental Impact: Conventional school supplies contribute to plastic pollution and deforestation. Eco-friendly alternatives help reduce this impact.
3. Teaching Sustainability: Choosing green supplies is a great way to teach kids about environmental responsibility from an early age.

Chemicals to Look Out For in School Supplies

1. Phthalates: Often found in vinyl/PVC products like backpacks, lunch bags, binders, and pencil cases. These chemicals have been linked to developmental issues and hormone disruption.
2. Lead: Can be found in some school supplies, particularly in certain brands of crayons and colored pencils (For example, in 2018, U.S. PIRG found asbestos in Playskool crayons).
3. Cadmium and Organotins: These toxic chemicals can also be present in PVC products such as vinyl lunchboxes and backpacks .
4. Bisphenol A (BPA): Often found in plastic products like water bottles, food containers, and the lining of metal food cans. It's known to interfere with hormones.
5. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): These can be found in markers (especially dry-erase and permanent markers), glues, paints, and other art supplies. They can cause respiratory issues and headaches .
6. Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): These "forever chemicals" can be found in some water-resistant products like coated paper products and certain types of backpacks. They have been linked to various health issues .
7. Chlorine: Often used in paper products like notebooks, loose-leaf paper, and tissues. Chlorine bleaching can create harmful byproducts .
8. Formaldehyde: Can be found in some paper products, adhesives, and wood products like pencils. It's a known carcinogen and can cause respiratory issues .
9. Benzene: This chemical can be present in some glues, markers, and rubber erasers. It's a known carcinogen .

Tips for Choosing Safer School Supplies

1. Avoid PVC: Look for products labeled "PVC-free" or avoid those with a recycling symbol containing the number 3 or the words "PVC" or "vinyl" .
2. Choose Natural Materials: Opt for cloth, canvas, or nylon for items like backpacks, lunch boxes, and pencil cases.
3. Safe Food Storage: For lunch containers, choose stainless steel or BPA-free, phthalate-free options. For disposable items, look for bio-based alternatives.
4. Water-Based Art Supplies: Choose water-based markers, paints, and glues. Avoid dry-erase or permanent markers, especially for young children.
5. Metal Over Plastic: When possible, choose metal items (like paperclips) over plastic-coated ones.
6. Safer Paper Products: Look for recycled paper products or those marked chlorine-free.
7. Avoid Fragrances: Stay away from scented products, which often contain undisclosed chemicals like phthalates.
8. Stay Away from Cheap Crayons and Markers: Cheap crayons found in some Dollar stores can contain lead and asbestos, which is infuriating to think about, since they get used by young children. Go with proven tested non-toxic brands instead. 

Recommended Non-Toxic and Sustainable School Supplies

Now, let's look at some fantastic non-toxic and eco-friendly options for your back-to-school shopping list!

Notebooks and Paper

1. Mintra 100% Recycled Notebooks (junior) Mintra Products' Eco-Friendly Notebooks offer a truly sustainable option for environmentally conscious students and parents. These notebooks are crafted from 100% sustainable materials, featuring paper made from Bagasse (sugarcane waste) and covers made from 100% recycled Kraft board. The use of vegetable-based inks for printing ensures a non-toxic product, while the 58gsm Bagasse paper provides a durable writing surface. Produced in Egypt, these junior-sized notebooks (6.5in x 9.5in) exemplify how school supplies can be both functional and eco-friendly, making them an excellent choice for those seeking to reduce their environmental impact without compromising on quality.
2. Decomposition 100% Recycled Spiral Notebook This USA-made notebook features 160 pages of 100% recycled paper, printed with non-toxic soy ink, aligning with sustainable practices. Its sturdy spiral binding and ruled format make it practical for everyday use. Measuring 9.75 x 7.5 inches, it's perfectly sized for backpacks and desks. By choosing this notebook, you support American made and contribute to a reduced carbon footprint, making it an excellent choice for environmentally conscious parents seeking sustainable school supplies for their kids.

Writing Utensils

1. ONYX+ GREEN Recycled Newspaper Pencils These HB #2 pencils are crafted from recycled newspaper, significantly reducing their environmental impact. The pack of 10 comes pre-sharpened for immediate use and features white erasers for clean corrections. The pencils are packaged in recycled craft paper printed with soy-based ink, further emphasizing the brand's commitment to sustainability. 
2. Sprout Wood-Cased Plantable Pencils The Sprout Everyday Earth pencil pack offers 12 eco-friendly, zero-waste graphite pencils that not only provide a sustainable writing tool but also contain plantable seed capsules, allowing users to grow herbs, flowers, or fruits once the pencil is too short to use, embodying the concept of sustainability in both form and function. 
3. Le Bon Bamboo Eco Pens These pens offer a 100% plastic-free writing solution, featuring kraft paper bodies and stainless steel cores, adorned with inspirational quotes, making them an eco-friendly and motivational choice for sustainable office supplies or thoughtful gifts. 
4. Cork and Recycled Wheat Straw Retractable Pens The Conscience Concepts Cork & Recycled Wheat Straw Retractable Ballpoint Pens combine sustainability with comfort, featuring barrels made from cork, a renewable resource, and colored tips crafted from recycled wheat straw, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic pens for environmentally conscious families.

Art Supplies

1. Playvibe Jumbo 18-pack Beeswax Crayons - these non-toxic crayons are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. They come in a sturdy container with 18 washable colors. 
2. Honesticks Jumbo 16-pack Beeswax Crayons
   These non-toxic crayons offer a safe and sustainable coloring option for young elementary school children, featuring 16 vibrant colors made from 100% pure beeswax and food-grade pigments, free from petroleum-based paraffin wax and harmful additives, while their jumbo size promotes easy handling and durability for young artists. 
3. Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable Markers
   These tried and true markers represent a safe and eco-friendly option for young artists, featuring eight vibrant, non-toxic colors that easily wash off various surfaces, conical tips for versatile drawing, and markers made from recycled resin, putting over a million pounds of plastic back to use. 
   
4. Faber-Castell DuoTip Washable Markers
   These markers offer a safe and sustainable option for young artists, featuring 12 markers with 24 vibrant colors made from non-toxic, food-grade dyes, dual tips for versatile drawing, and the ability to be rejuvenated with water, making them a long-lasting and eco-friendly choice for school and home art projects.
5. Onyx + Green Plant Based Glue Sticks 
   For a safe and eco-friendly adhesive option, Onyx+ Green Glue Sticks are our top pick as they offer a plant-based, non-toxic formula that's washable and comes in recycled packaging, making them an excellent choice for environmentally conscious parents and educators. Why not Elmer's you may ask? It is also non-toxic, however, their most popular traditional formula is not plant-based, therefore, likely using more synthetic materials. Also, they do not use recycled plastic, although containers are recyclable. They do, however, have a better option - Elmer's Naturals glue sticks. Packaging is made from 25% recycled plastics and this one does have plant-based formula. 

When it comes to markers, no marker is entirely without environmental impact. To further improve sustainability, encourage minimal use and proper storage to extend product life. Teach children about responsible disposal or recycling of markers when they're depleted.

Backpacks, Lunch Boxes, Water Bottles

We have separate articles on best non-toxic and eco-friendly backpacks by different age groups and recommended lunch boxes and other essentials for kids' school lunches. Check out both articles for more information on best backpacks and lunch containers.

Based on thorough research, here’s a list of our recommended backpack brands as examples: 

1. Fjällräven Kånken Mini: 

   • Material: Recycled polyester and organic cotton

   • Features: Classic design, ergonomic

   • Benefits: Durable, suitable for school and outdoor activities

   • Why Fjällräven: With a focus on ethical manufacturing practices and timeless aesthetics, Fjällräven backpacks are perfect for school, outdoor activities, summer camps, and travel, supporting both the practical needs and environmental values of conscientious families.

2. Dabbawalla Backpack: 

   • Material: Eco-friendly EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) foam

   • Features: Machine-washable, cute designs

   • Benefits: Easy to clean, practical for messy preschoolers

3. The North Face Teen Mini Explorer Backpack:

   • Material: 600D recycled polyester

   • Features: Non-PFC water-repellent finish, adjustable straps

   • Benefits: Durable, water-resistant, vibrant colors

For lunch bento boxes and other school lunch essentials consider the following:

1. ECOlunchbox stainless steel three piece bento lunch box - a fantastic versatile option for your family meals and snacking needs on the go. Other ECOlunchbox options are available as well, like this leak-proof stainless steel container. Need a non-toxic insulated food jar to keep your or your little one's packed school lunch hot (or cold) throughout that day? Check out this awesome insulated stainless steel food jar / canister. It is completely plastic free and even has a handle for easy carrying. Great for kids' lunches as well as adult ones - perfect companion for any of your outdoor adventures, whether it's a trip to a local park with your kids or a full on camping experience. 
2. For other great non-toxic insulated food jar and container options consider Hydroflask. They have insulated stainless steel food jars of multiple sizes, like this one here. Looking for something specifically designed for kids? Check out this kids' insulated food jar, available in multiple fun colors, offers 12 oz capacity, comes with an easy grip lid and a perforated silicone boot for added protection in case of unexpected (although frequent with kids) drops. 
3. Lunchbots is another great brand offering stainless steel bento lunch and snack boxes of various sizes, like this perfect little snack container. They even have insulated thermos containers that keep food hot for 6 hrs or cold for 12. This stainless steel insulated container was personally tested and continues to be regularly used in our family for hot school and summer camp lunches. We even use it for packing homemade ice cream (as pictured) for a healthy way to cool off during hot summer days at the beach or by the pool. It really does work and is incredibly durable. Silicone sleeve makes it easy for kids to hold to avoid dropping. 
4. We couldn't conclude our recommendations without including PlanetBox stainless steel bento lunch boxes. With a variety of sizes and options, you'll definitely find the perfect box for your family. Start your search with this classic Rover stainless steel 5 compartment bento box. 

We even wrote a detailed article on school snack containers for kids, with top recommendations summarized here: 

1. EcoLunchbox: Provides a range of stainless steel snack boxes and lunch containers. For example, this 3 piece set is great for storing leftovers as much as it's a perfect option for lunches or snacks on-the-go. Another good option is this 3 layer stainless steel 3-in-1 container - perfect for storing multiple snacks for your little ones' adventures or your own. 
2. Avanchy: Offer a variety of stainless steel and silicone non-toxic dinnerware for kids options. This bowl and spoon set is a highly versatile option - comes with a removable suction feature, a silicone lid. It is perfect for storing leftovers or using this bowl as a snack container for quick meals on-the-go for your toddler. 
3. LunchBots: Offers a variety of sizes and configurations, perfect for any snack. Here is a good example of a versatile stainless steel snack container. Check out other options available to fit your specific needs, including small leak-proof containers for dips, yogurt, apple sauce and more. 
4. PlanetBox: Known for their divided stainless steel lunch containers, they do have smaller size options perfect for snack storage. 

Keeping kids hydrated throughout the school day is very important. This is another great opportunity to take a sustainable approach that also minimizes your child’s exposure to harmful chemicals and microplastics. Based on personal experience, we believe stainless steel water bottles present the best eco-friendly and non-toxic option for kids’ water bottles for school as well as throughout the day while on the go. Here are our most recommended options for school aged kids: 

1. Pura Sport 18 oz Stainless Steel and Silicone Water bottle - This is a completely plastic free MADESAFE certified water bottle in great size (not too small or too bulky and heavy). We love versatility of this bottle, as you can purchase a different top (i.e. straw) and use the same base bottle. Silicone top is medical grade, all ensuring highest degree of safety for your kiddo. 
2. Klean Kanteen 27 oz Sport Cap Water Bottle - This is a great option by a great brand that’s focused on sustainability and safety, although not completely plastic free (the top is plastic). It is very convenient for school, lightweight, and is plenty big to hold enough water, although not insulated, if that’s important for you and your child. If you prefer no plastic, but like Klean Kanteen water bottles, they do have plastic free bamboo cap you can purchase separately, or just get a bottle with this cap to start with. 

Other Essentials

1. Onyx and Green Round Tip Scissors
   These sustainable scissors offer a safe and eco-friendly option for young students, featuring 5" blades with rounded tips, comfortable grip handles made from anti-bacterial recycled plastic, and plant-based packaging.
   
2. Onyx and Green Eco-friendly Bamboo Ruler
   This ruler  offers a sustainable and stylish alternative to plastic rulers, featuring durable bamboo construction, precise 12-inch and 30-centimeter measurements with a beveled edge, and versatile functionality.
   
3. Onyx and Green Recycled Rubber Eco-friendly Erasers 
   This ruler  offers a sustainable and stylish alternative to plastic rulers, featuring durable bamboo construction, precise 12-inch and 30-centimeter measurements with a beveled edge, and versatile functionality.
4. ATTITUDE Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizer Spray
   This EWG-verified Hand Sanitizer Spray offers a vegan, eco-friendly option for both adults and kids, featuring natural orange leaves extract, ethanol-based antimicrobial properties, and dermatologically tested formula, providing effective germ protection with clean, transparent ingredients.

School Clothes for Kids - Consider Capsule Wardrobe 

Creating a non-toxic, eco-friendly minimalist capsule wardrobe for kids is a smart way to simplify school mornings while teaching valuable lessons about sustainability. This approach focuses on carefully selecting versatile, high-quality pieces that can be mixed and matched, reducing decision fatigue and environmental impact. Key principles include choosing timeless styles, coordinating colors, and prioritizing sustainable materials. By investing in well-made items from eco-conscious brands, parents can create a wardrobe that grows with their child, promotes independence, and contributes to a healthier planet. For a comprehensive guide on building a sustainable kids' capsule wardrobe, including brand recommendations and care instructions, read the full article here.

Environmental Impact of Eco-Friendly School Supplies

Let's look at some specific data points that highlight the positive environmental impact of choosing eco-friendly school supplies:

• Paper Products: According to the Environmental Paper Network, choosing recycled paper products can reduce water usage by 53% and energy consumption by 31%  compared to virgin paper production.
• Plastic Reduction: Studies show that by opting for reusable water bottles, a student can prevent an average of 167 plastic bottles from entering landfills each school year (especially if not recycled). The same applies to reusable lunch containers, which are much recommended over disposable lunch packing options.
• Carbon Footprint: Research continues to show that products made from recycled materials can significantly reduce carbon emissions. 
• Overall Waste Reduction: According to Greenbinz, a staggering 77% of school supplies are wasted, with most students reporting unused supplies at the end of the school year. This highlights the importance of mindful purchasing and reusing existing materials whenever possible. By choosing high-quality eco-friendly and reusable options, this waste can be significantly reduced. 

It's crucial to note that parents don't need to buy all new supplies every year for kids to go back to school. In fact, opting for high-quality, durable supplies and reusing them for as long as possible is one of the most effective ways to reduce environmental impact. For example, by reusing a backpack for multiple years, families can significantly reduce their carbon footprint. Moreover, GreenBinz reports that the average American school wastes an estimated 67 pounds per  student per year in disregarded school supplies and lunches. By investing in reusable lunch containers and water bottles, families can drastically cut down on this waste.

Remember, the most sustainable school supply is the one you already own. Before purchasing new items, take inventory of what can be reused from previous years, and only replace what's absolutely necessary.These statistics underscore the significant positive impact that choosing eco-friendly school supplies and prioritizing reuse can have on our environment. Every sustainable choice contributes to a healthier planet for our children's future, while also teaching them valuable lessons about resource conservation and responsible consumption.

Conclusion

Choosing non-toxic and eco-friendly school supplies is a small step that can make a big difference. Not only are you protecting your children from potentially harmful chemicals, but you're also teaching them valuable lessons about sustainability. Remember, every small choice adds up. By opting for these greener alternatives, you're contributing to a healthier planet for our children's future. Happy eco-friendly back to school shopping!

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