A More Sustainable Back-to-school

Either if you’re still a student or your kids are going to school this year, you’re probably planning how to make your next school year more eco-conscious. Besides re-using things from previous years that are still in good condition, there are items that you purchase (if you need to) that can help you lower your footprint.

What kind of things can you re-use from previous school years? Pens, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, markers, highlighters, rulers, scissors, pocket folders, binders, pencil cases, backpack… and so on.

What about spiral notebooks? Well, if your notebook from the previous school year still has plenty of blank pages… seize the opportunity to repurpose it. Start writing this school year’s notes on the back pages, instead.

In case you need to purchase or replace some items for the new school year, here are a few options that can help you have a more sustainable back to school:

Recycled Notebook

Why using a notebook with crisp white pages, when you can use a more sustainable version of it? Even though recycled newspapers are still a minority, when you enter the office supplies aisle, more and more brands are making these part of their portfolio.

If you live in Spain, Miquelrius just launched a line of school supplies with ECOALF. That includes several recycled notebooks, available in different sizes. You can find these at FNAC.

In case you’re looking for something less mainstream, Ecomania offers a selection of recycled notebooks. Besides their online store, you can also pay them a visit at their physical store.

iPad mini + Apple Pencil

It’s not the first time that I talk about the perks of using an iPad mini to take notes. Even though it’s a big investment and a decision that took me months to take, I believe this is one of my very best purchases of the year - so far.

I use it for everything: taking notes during meetings and classes, doing some copywriting exercises, budgeting, planning, besides all those other things you can do with a tablet (checking e-mails, browsing, watching streaming content, etc.).

For most of these things, I use the GoodNotes app. Easy to use, reliable, versatile and I especially like how the Apple Pencil interacts with it (yes, I’ve always been really picky when it comes to my handwriting). The app has different page templates. Which is perfect to organise different kinds of content. The best part? It’s a one-time purchase, that you can use over and over again. Also, you can create as many notebooks as you’d like (without feeling the extra weight on your backpack).

As I prefer paper planners to digital calendars, I’ve recently purchased the Pencil Planner app. It’s just like a regular planner, only digital, and it allows you to scribble and highlight with the Apple Pencil. Well, to be honest, I am still getting used to it but… so far so good. It allows you to organize your calendar by day, weeks, months, and years. My main goal with this purchase is to replace my yearly paper planner onward, for environmental (and financial) reasons.

Plantable Pencils

This is one of those absolute staples. Even though using a standard pencil is more sustainable than using a mechanic one, you can go one step further. How? Using plantable pencils.

That’s right! Pencils that you can plant on a flowerpot when these are so small that it’s impossible to write. These sorts of pencils are usually easy to find at zero waste stores or online. 

Natural Highlighters

I love to use different colors and highlighters to give a bit more dimension to my handwritten notes. My school notes were in technicolor since 5th grade - when I was finally allowed to write with a pen (and use a larger array of colors), as much as I’d liked.

This habit stood with me until adulthood and was responsible for making me spend an awful amount of money on all sorts of writing supplies. Even though I am a huge fan of pastel highlighters, I recognize that these aren’t that good for the environment. 

The solution? Use highlighter pencils, instead. But only when you run out of all the markers and highlighters you already own, because getting rid of something perfectly good (just because it isn’t the most sustainable thing on earth) also has a negative impact on the environment.

Backpack

Here’s something that you don’t purchase every day or even every school year. So you might as well want to spend some extra bucks on something that you love, suits your needs, and that you will be able to use for many years.

My favorite sustainable backpacks so far are the ones from Lefrik. Made out of recycled plastic bottles with a versatile and functional design. These also happen to be long-lasting and quality-built.

Despite the variety of designs and sizes available, the Handy model remains my absolute favorite. Great to take my laptop to the office, wander around town or even go on a weekend getaway. 

Laptop Sleeve

If you have a laptop, you probably want to carry it around safely but without adding a lot of extra weight (or spending too much money). Just like the backpack, this isn’t a purchase that you do on a regular basis. So, invest in something that suits your needs (usability and weight), and that you feel comfortable about it.

Lefrik and ECOALF have some nice eco-friendly options. Besides, some of LeFrik’s backpack models include a reliable laptop compartment inside.

Lunch bag

A lunch bag is one of those absolute back-to-school staples. While most of the options available at supermarkets are still far from being environmentally conscious, you can easily find sustainable alternatives at pretty much every zero-waste store.

I’ve been using a Keep Leaf lunch bag for three years now. Made out of organic cotton, light yet very reliable, and with an eco-friendly cooling layer inside. 

Snack Bags

Snacks are essential to get you through the day and the long hours of study. Sadly, store-bought and vending machine snacks come usually wrapped in a lot of plastic.

The solution? Take your own snacks with you. This will allow you to eat healthier and a larger variety of options (than the sugary ones available everywhere), besides saving money and helping the environment at the same time.

Small and light air-tight containers, Stacher Bags, Beeswax Wraps, Snack’n’Go, and Boc’n’Roll are some of the sustainable options that are easy to find.

Reusable Water Bottle

Another absolute must for your sustainable back to school. A reusable water bottle is a relatively small investment, considering the amount of money you’ll spend on disposable bottles in the long run.

Besides, these are available in a large variety of sizes, formats, and materials. So you’ll finally have the chance to pick something that actually meets your needs. Even though a reusable bottle made of plastic will allow you to reduce your plastic waste, the truth is you might need to replace it sooner than one made of stainless steel.

Out of all the brands I’ve tried so far, the ones from 24 Bottles are my favorites. Quality-built bottles, available in different sizes, weights, and finishes. The best part? These bottles can keep your drink’s temperature, no matter if it’s a hot or cold beverage, for hours.

Besides if you want to reduce your “coffee-to-go” footprint, 24 Bottles have the most reliable tumbler I’ve ever tried. Leakproof, light, compact, and it maintains your beverage’s temperature for a large period of time. 

Conscious sneakers

Whether you need to replace your current sneakers or just want a new pair of kicks, maybe it’s time to opt for a more sustainable option.

The good news? Sustainably made sneakers have come a long way during the past couple of years and are, actually, becoming trendy.

Like VEJA sneakers, for example. This French brand’s footwear can be found pretty much everywhere. Around your neighborhood to Instagram stylish pics, to Royals. Besides their signature white sneakers, VEJA has a large array of models available (even running shoes) to different audiences (children included). The best part? You can choose if you want a vegan model or one made of leather (more resistant).

In case you want something equally sustainable but less mainstream, ECOALF might do the trick. Their sneakers are created out of ocean waste, and they’ve recently teamed up with Michelin to create a shoe line out of rubber waste. Awesome, isn’t it?