Back to School Eco Checklist 2006

Before you know it, the last days of summer are here and thoughts turn to easing the return to school with appealing accessories. You can avoid those mad-dash excursions to depleted stores—not to mention the look on your teenager's face when you bring home a vinyl Tweety Bird binder—by sustainably shopping ahead.

According to the New York State Department of Conservation, parents who pack a child's lunch in disposable bags or containers generate 45 to 90 pounds of garbage every year. That makes 18,760 pounds of lunch waste for just one average-size elementary school. Instead, team up with parents, friends and teachers to buy multiples of these righteous green supplies.

Paper

Always look for processed chlorine free (PCF) and the highest percentage of post-consumer recycled (PCR) or post-consumer waste (PCW) content.

Gray's Harbor 20-pound copy paper, white, 100 percent PCW, acid free and hydrogen peroxide bleached ($6.50/ream; www.treecycle.com, 406-626-0200)

Staples recycled 20-pound copy paper, white, 100 percent PCW, non-chlorine ($5.29/ream; www.staples.com, 800-3STAPLES)

Ampad EnviroTech filler paper, three hole punched and college ruled, 100 percent PCW, non-chlorine ($6.09/100 pack; www.staples.com, 800-3STAPLES)

Earth Friendly Second Nature spiral notebooks, 50 percent recycled, 20 percent PCW, non-chlorine, three hole punched and college ruled ($3.30/80 sheets). Three- and four-subject notebooks with pocket dividers, made of recycled board ($5.94/120 sheets or $10.90/200 sheets; www.treecycle.com, 406-626-0200)

Writing Instruments

Wheely ball-point pens are made from 50 percent PCR rubber tires and 10 percent recycled plastic ($0.50/each). Woody pens are refillable and made from scrap wood ($2.85/each). Old Money pencils are truly green, made from recycled dollars, 20-25 percent PCR ($6.00/12 pack; www.newdream.org, 877-68-DREAM).

Markers with the least toxic inks include BIC magic marker ($3.59/30 pack) and Crayola washable markers ($3.59/8 pack; both from www.officedepot.com), Permapaque ($13/4 pack) and Sharpie poster paint markers ($3.19/each; both from www.reuels.com) and Pigma Graphic markers ($2.26/each; www.misterart.com). For more products and health info, see "Of Mice and Marking Pens," GG #104.