Wether you are doing in-person or online school, these low waste supplies can help you go back to school with an eco-conscious style. Most of these products are the same things you would buy normally, and they are about the same price as well! Of course, something to keep in mind is that the most sustainable option is to use what you already have! 

1. Pens and Pencils

Pens and pencils are arguably the most important supply to have when going back to school. Every year, even I am surprised at how many pencils I have lost. By the second half of the year I am almost exclusively borrowing pencils from friends. Recently, I have tried mechanical pencils and for some reason I found myself losing those less! Although mechanical pencils are more sustainable than regular ones, companies are now selling plantable pencils! They are pencils made from recycled newspaper, and pens made from paper! Try using those instead!

2. Notebooks

Notebooks are some of the worst offenders of wasting paper. Usually, people tend to only use one side of the paper, and go on to the next page once they are about half way done. Additionally, even I am guilty of buying a new notebook every year instead of using the rest of the one I have. Some of these problems are habits you need to train yourself to get rid of. But, to help save paper and have less of an environmental impact, you can buy a decomposition notebook! Unlike a regular composition notebook, decomposition notebooks use 100% post-consumer recycled paper! 

3. Binders

If binders are on your shopping list, opt for cardboard cover and make sure the rings are easily removable! If the rings are easily removable, it can help avoid mixed materials, meaning when you have completed the year, it will be easy to recycle, reuse, or compost! 

4. Sticky Notes

Sticky notes are hard to make sustainable because they are inherently single-use objects. I used to think that they could be recycled, but believe it or not, most recycling centers aren’t able to recycle sticky notes as they’re too small and usually fly out of the recycling bin. But do not fear! Companies are selling sticky notes made out of recycled paper!!! Whoohoo! They come in every color and work just like regular sticky notes! Perfect!

5. Hand Sanitizer