Going Green for Back to School

 

The nights are getting cooler and the sun is setting earlier which means fall is just around the corner.  It’s time to prepare to go back to school!  This week I’ll be sharing with you some tips and top picks to keep you and your kids eco-minded as you shop for this all-important time. 

Why?  With new research and awareness regarding product manufacturing, it’s important to choose products that are free from BPA, vinyl, PVCs, phthalates, and lead. 

Choosing eco alternatives during your shopping adventures is a great way to introduce green concepts at an early age. 

As kids go back to school, they may be learning about how to preserve and protect our environment.  If children are exposed to this information beforehand, they can connect on a personal level and feel like they’ve made an important contribution simply by carrying that bento box around.

This week we’re gearing up for the first day with stylish, eco-friendly backpacks and lunch solutions!

Pack it up!

Simple’s Hangover backpack is made from organic cotton and contains zippers made from recycled plastic bottles. The company is committed to providing products that are 100% sustainable.  Check out their entire line of bags and backpacks here.  Bonus:  The company is notable for their encompassing variety of eco-friendly shoes.

Ecogear’s Panda backpack is perfect for younger children.  It comes in four fun, vibrant colors and is a steal at $17.99.  The backpack is made from organic cotton and contains non-toxic dyes.  Be sure to check out the company’s Ecozoo animal bags, which serve as both a pet and a toy and their rugged, sophisticated line of backpacks from Ecotech. 

Voltaic Systems’ solar bags are perfect for techie teens.  They’re made from recycled PET (think soda bottles), are lightweight, durable, UV and water-resistant.  What makes these bags unique is their ability to charge virtually all handheld electronics including laptops.  These bags are mobile solar power generators with solar panels embedded in the outside of the bag.  With prices starting at $199 it’s a small price to pay for sustainable energy.

Fleurville’s Kid’s Messenger bags are hip and modern for tweens and teens.  They’re free of lead, PVC, and Teflon and include an insulated matching lunch tote. 

Dante Beatrix’s Big Kid Eco Pack’s are all the rage this year.  They’re also made from recycled plastic drinking bottles and trimmed with biodegradable canvas.  What I really like about these bags is the messages of love, peace, and recycle that they convey through their design. 

 

 

Lunchtime!

Every time I go to Whole Foods, I walk past the Laptop Lunches display in the babies and kids section. I finally decided to seek out some more information and discovered how much packaging is involved in packing a lunch.  Not to mention the safety concerns of plastic and lead inherent in conventional kid’s lunch bags and boxes.  Laptop Lunches is a sustainable lunch container free of phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), or lead.  Separate compartments and containers, stainless steel utensils, a reusable water bottle, and an insulated carrying case eliminate packaging and encourage healthy food habits.  The system also comes with a book of healthy lunch ideas and lunch making recipes. 

Lunchopolis has designed a similar system containing a lead-free, insulated lunch box, four containers, and a reusable drinking bottle.  Check out their three vibrant design options here. 

If you’re looking for eco-friendly, reusable lunch bags, check out the following companies:

Mimi the Sardines Lunch Bug zips closed and is available in 9 fun prints.  All of the company’s products are made from eco-coated cotton fabrics directly imported from Sweden.  They are free of lead, vinyl, and PVC.

ACME bags, from Reusable Bags, are free of lead and PVC and contain 100% recycled insulation.  They’re available in six attractive colors and come with a reusable, non-toxic freezer pack. 

Built NY’s sleek and stylish line of products now includes Munchlers wearable lunch packs and lunch bags. They both unzip to a placemat, are lead free, and made from polypropylene.  Younger kids will be drawn to the funky zoo animal shapes they come in.  Even better?  They retail for $9.95!

Crocodile Creek’s soft designer lunch boxes are free of lead, phthalates, and PVCs.  They have a wide variety of innovative designs to choose from at an affordable price of just $15.99.

Don’t forget to pack your kids a reusable cloth napkin, include reusable silverware, and a reusable water bottle. Consider opting for a reusable wrap when packing food items if you don’t own a sustainable lunch system. 

Sigg and Klean Kanteen are the most popular manufacturers of reusable drinking bottles. There is a huge demand for both of these products (particularly Sigg) so be sure to check both websites for retailers still carrying these products.   Both products are free of BPA and 100% recyclable. 

Wrap-N-Mat is a reusable sandwich wrap and placemat that eliminates the need for Ziploc bags, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap.  Want a more stylish version of this product?  Check out The Small Object’s take on this here and here!

Be sure to stop by next week for more tips on helping your kids go green this school year!