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The school summer holidays have just started, but it is never too early to get ready for the new academic year! I used to love going into town to buy stationery for the new year. As I got older, I started trying to find more eco-friendly school supplies as opposed to what was currently trending. There are now so many amazing sustainable school supplies so I have compiled a list so you can get prepared! The most eco-friendly thing to do is use what you already have, even if it isn’t eco-friendly.
(Photo by Deleece Cook on Unsplash)
Stationary
Pens, pencils & highlighters
Buying new stationary can be so much fun, but try to look for pens and pencils made from recycled materials. Once my pen highlighters have run out, I’m going to be making the switch over to highlighter pencils.



Notebooks
I tend to buy a4 notebooks for university, but my friend bought a5 notebooks. She used up all the pages, whereas mine is half empty. So to reduce unused paper, I’m opting for a5 this year.


Planner/diaries
Refillable planners are so much better for the environment because it means you don’t need to buy the cover again. My friend gave me a refillable notebook for my birthday and I’m excited to start using it.


Bags
There is so much choice nowadays for all the different types of bags. In primary school, the bag doesn’t really need to be that big because I think books are mainly kept at school. In secondary school, there is a lot to carry with the number of subjects studied! At college/sixth form and university, I would recommend a backpack that can hold a laptop if you own one. This is much easier than carrying the laptop separately, and much better for your body than a tote bag.
Backpacks
Day Owl slim backpack* is made from “25 recycled post-consumer plastic bottles, plus 100% recycled polyester lining and trim, algae-based foam, water repellant neoprene, and conflict-free metal YKK zippers”. It’s called slim, but still fits in a 14″ laptop so would be perfect for going to university or work. I love a backpack with practical extra pockets to fit my extra nicknacks. This one has a ‘floating’ pocket for smaller items such as lip balm, tissues, hand sanitiser, and earphones. As well as a bigger pocket at the front for other things.


Tote bags
Sometimes tote bags can be a good bag for days that aren’t so lesson-heavy. They are also useful shopping bags, and you never know when you might need them! I like to carry one in my backpack for this purpose.



Continue reading: The ultimate list of eco-friendly school supplies
Clothing
As children grow out of clothes so quickly, schools often have sales of these clothes. This is a much more sustainable way of using school clothes, and is much cheaper for you! Have a look to see if your child(rens) school has one. Alternatively, you could ask fellow parents and pass down clothes to others.
Related post: How to have a sustainable wardrobe
On the go
Water bottle
A water bottle is essential for anyone, whether you go to school or not! Here are some of my sustainable favourites:


Travel mugs
I have the Circular & Co travel mug, and have had it for almost 5 years now. It is as good as the day I bought it, so I definitely recommend that one! My sister has a collapsible travel mug and she has recommended it to me.



Lunch boxes
A few months ago, I bought the bento box-style lunch box that everyone had been raving about. I’m so glad I did because I enjoy making my lunch and then having something prepared so I don’t need to think. It saves so much money taking your lunch instead of buying it, and it is more eco-friendly too.


I hope this post helps you out with buying your (children’s) eco-friendly school supplies!
Will you be looking to buy eco-friendly school supplies this summer?
Caroline ♡
i wish they had these types of options when i was doing back to school shopping. love all the eco friendly suggestions!
Thank you B xx
What a brilliant range of eco-friendly school supplies! I love that ‘Busy Bee’ planner! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Me too, thank you Lucy x
Great post! I was in Tesco yesterday and it really hit me how the back-to-school aisle is all plastic trash that will get thrown away quickly! I deffo think I’ll invest in eco-friendly options when Leo starts school!
Corinne x
https://skinnedcartree.com
Yeah, it’s awful :/
I love stationary! I don’t need to shop for back to school this year, but do always love getting new notebooks for journalling 🙂
Me too haha x
Having a good lunch box and reusable water bottle is a must when you’re on school, especially since we don’t know what kind of chemicals are used to make many popular products these days. I like the idea of a reusable journal.
Definitely x
I love that there are more and more eco-friendly options available and that school supplies are not different. I will have to look into getting some things (for myself, haha)!
This is such a great list of eco friendly school supplies. Thanks so much for sharing them all!
I’m trying to be more conscious/eco-friendly but I haven’t improved my office to be more eco-friendly yet – even though I finished school, these tips are still super helpful for the office too. 🙂
Thank you x
I didn’t know there were so many eco-friendly alternatives for school supplies. In Belgium kids only return back to school in September
Yeah, quite a few! In the UK, children return in September too 🙂