Guide to Greener School Supplies

BETTER SUPPLIES WHY THEY’RE GREEN

PRICE

WHERE TO BUY THEM

AusPen Dry Erase Markers

 

Elmer’s Washable School Glue

AusPen inks don’t contain xylene, a volatile organic compound (VOC) in many markers that can cause headaches. They’re also refillable; one .75-ounce bottle of ink contains 40 refills.

A water-based, low-VOC alternative to solvent-based modeling glues and rubber cement; Elmer’s also recycles glue sticks and glue bottles through its Elmer’s Glue Crew classroom recycling program.

$69.95/6 pens and 6 refill bottles (the equivalent of 240 markers)

about $2 per stick

ecosmartworld.com

Office supply stores; for more information on the classroom recycling program, see elmersgluecrew.com

Pentel Recycology Pens, Mechanical

Pencils and Highlighters

Refillable products made from 50 percent or more post-consumer recycled plastic

$1.65–$3

Office supply stores or pentel.com

Prang Soybean Crayons

Made from renewable soybean wax, not the petroleum-based paraffin wax used in most crayons

$7.29/200-count box

dixonusa.com or staples.com

Riverside Groundwood

Construction Paper

Made with 100 percent recycled paper

$1.39/50 sheets

officedepot.com

Staples 1-Subject Notebooks

Made with 100 percent recycled paper ( 30 percent post-consumer waste)

$4.29/pack of 3

Staples stores or staples.com

Ampad Enviro Tech 100 Percent

Recycled Filler Paper

Made with 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper

$6.49/100 sheets

staples.com only (not sold in stores)