Back to School Checklist
Green Your School
Encourage administrators to use their purchasing power for a greener future
Whether you're furnishing a dorm room from the bottom up or getting your young one ready to start kindergarten, dozens of decisions go into getting your child ready for that first day.
Use this handy checklist to set you in the right direction towards more environmentally-responsible purchases.
Download printable version here.
Also download the Guide to PVC-free School Supplies from the Center for Health, Environment and Justice.
Product |
Recommendations |
| Backpack | Hemp, recycled rubber, non-PVC or second-hand. Look for bags with a lifetime warranty. |
| Bags for shopping | Reusable |
| Batteries | Rechargeable |
| Binders | Look for the “No PVC” symbol on Dura Tech binders, this lets you know the product is free of harmful vinyl. Presstex or TuffStuff Recycled binders by ACCO are also a good choice. |
| Bottle for water | Refillable stainless steel, aluminum, or PBA-free plastic |
| Cell phone | Recycle the old before buying the new |
| Chocolate | Fair trade and organic |
| Cleaning products | Low-phosphate, no chlorine bleach, non-toxic (or make your own) |
| Clothing | Organic and sweatshop-free or second-hand |
| Coffee | Fair trade and organic |
| Computer | Used or refurbished model from responsible manufacturer |
| Correction tape | Avoid White Out; it’s highly toxic, flammable, and can be “fatal if inhaled.” Instead, opt for equally-effective white tape, made by a number of mainstream brands including Post-it and Liquid Paper. |
| Decorations | Fair trade or thrift store |
| Desk | Sustainably-harvested wood |
| Light bulbs | Compact fluorescents (CFLs) |
| Lunch bags | Avoid products containing PVC. Look for durable lunch bags are made from organic or recycled materials. |
| Microwave | Energy Star label |
| Rugs | Recycled content |
| Paper, notebooks | Chlorine free, high PCW (post-consumer waste) content note paper, notebooks, etc. |
| Pens, pencils | Sustainably-harvested wood pencils or pens/pencils made of recycled materials. |
| Refrigerator (mini) | Energy Star label |
| Rulers | Kleen Earth 12” Recycled Plastic Ruler by Acme United Corp is one PVC-free alternative. |
| Scissors | Greener products include Kleen Earth Recycled Stainless Steel Scissors by Acme United Corp or Envirogrip Recycled Scissors by Fiskars |
| Sheets | Organic cotton |
| Shoes | Fair trade, with recycled materials |
| Shower curtain | PVC-Free |
| Tea | Fair trade and organic |
| Toiletries | Organic, all natural, cruelty-free shampoo and skin care products |
| Towels | Organic cotton |
| TV | Energy star label |