The average American school uses around 250,000 sheets of paper per year. Multiply that by the number of schools across the country, and we鈥檙e looking at billions of pages 鈥� not to mention plastic pens, glue sticks, and disposable lunch gear that get tossed daily.
It鈥檚 no wonder that schools have become some of the biggest contributors to everyday waste.
But here鈥檚 the good news: small changes in your school supply list can lead to big environmental impact. Choosing eco-friendly school supplies鈥攍颈办别 plant-based glue, recycled notebooks, and stainless steel lunch boxes鈥攃an help reduce waste and spark eco-conscious habits in young learners.
To help you get started, here鈥檚 our curated list of the best brands making sustainable, reusable, vegan, and zero-waste school supplies for a greener school year.
The Ultimate List of 13 Eco-Friendly School Supplies
Sprout: The Pencil That Grows After You Write
Sprout turns the concept of school supplies on its head with its plantable pencils. Made from sustainably harvested wood and non-toxic graphite, each pencil has a biodegradable seed capsule at the tip. Once it鈥檚 too short to write with, just plant it.
Sprout champions a circular product lifecycle and zero-waste design, showing students that every item can have a second life. Their pencils are FSC-certified, and the brand鈥檚 mission aligns perfectly with hands-on environmental education.
Fainne: Minimalist Bamboo Pens That Maximize Impact
Fainne鈥檚 bamboo pens are simple, elegant, and made with renewable materials. Unlike plastic pens that end up in landfills, these are biodegradable, lightweight, and refillable鈥攕upporting long-term use over single-use habits.
Fainne promotes ethical sourcing and low-impact manufacturing, creating tools that align with classroom needs and green values. A perfect choice for students and teachers seeking zero-waste writing tools.
Ticonderoga: Classic Pencils with Modern Sustainability
Ticonderoga is a trusted name in school supplies, but it鈥檚 also stepping up its eco-game. Many of its pencils are made from certified wood sourced through responsibly managed forests, and the brand adheres to non-toxic paint and latex-free erasers.
While not a 鈥済reen鈥� brand in its entirety, Ticonderoga integrates sustainable materials and longevity into its products, making them a smart, scalable option for classrooms nationwide.
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BIC Ecolutions: Iconic Writing Tools with a Green Twist
BIC鈥檚 Ecolutions line transforms throwaway plastic pens and mechanical pencils into recycled-content heroes. Products are made with up to 74% recycled materials and are packaged with minimal, recyclable materials.
With mass production power behind it, BIC Ecolutions makes it easy to choose eco-conscious supplies without sacrificing affordability or availability.
Decomposition: Notebooks That Walk the Recycled Talk
Decomposition notebooks bring recycled paper to life with bold, student-friendly designs. Made with 100% post-consumer waste, soy-based inks, and chlorine-free processing, these notebooks are stylish without sacrificing eco-integrity.
The brand鈥檚 transparency about its paper sourcing and production gives it strong sustainability credentials, especially for eco-conscious teens and college students.
Environotes: Recycled Paper, Rooted in Responsibility
Environotes specializes in recycled-paper school supplies that are both functional and environmentally responsible. Their notebooks and notepads are Made in the USA, processed without chlorine, and feature recyclable covers and bindings.
They focus on domestic sourcing and ethical labor practices, making Environotes a low-footprint, high-integrity option for bulk school supply shopping.
ECOTREE: Sustainable Coloring for Creative Classrooms
ECOTREE鈥檚 colored pencils are made with sustainably harvested wood and non-toxic pigments, making them safe for kids and better for the planet.
Their packaging is minimal and recyclable, and the brand emphasizes product durability over disposability, giving parents and teachers a longer-lasting art supply alternative.
LunchBots: Zero-Waste Lunch Gear Built to Last
LunchBots leads the pack in stainless steel lunch containers that replace disposable bags and plastic lunchboxes. Their products are dishwasher-safe, BPA-free, and built for longevity.
The brand promotes waste-free lunch habits with sleek, partitioned containers perfect for students of all ages. It’s a must-have for eco-conscious lunch packing.
Klean Kanteen: Hydration That Doesn鈥檛 Hurt the Planet
Klean Kanteen is a leader in reusable drinkware, offering water bottles made from 18/8 stainless steel with climate-neutral certification.
As a B Corp, they鈥檙e deeply committed to ethical sourcing, living wages, and eliminating single-use plastics. For schools pushing sustainable habits, Klean Kanteen is a top-tier hydration partner.
Elmer鈥檚: School Glue That鈥檚 Better for Students and the Earth
Elmer鈥檚 has introduced greener versions of their iconic glue, using recycled plastic bottles and formulas free of harsh chemicals. Their washable, non-toxic glue has been a classroom staple for years, and now it鈥檚 more responsible too.
Although not 100% plastic-free, their improvements reflect a major shift from disposable packaging toward more sustainable production.
Paper Clinch: The Stapler That Needs No Staples
Paper Clinch offers a clever solution to reduce office and school supply waste鈥攁 staple-free stapler. It punches and folds paper to bind pages, removing the need for tiny metal staples that often end up in landfills.
It鈥檚 ideal for younger students (no pricks!), and the no-waste design supports zero-waste classrooms and safer supply kits.
Scotch Greener Tape: Stick with a Smaller Footprint
Scotch鈥檚 Greener Tape is made from 65% recycled or plant-based materials, with dispensers made from recycled plastic.
It works just as well as the classic version but offers an easy swap for students looking to reduce petroleum-based products. A small change with big collective impact.
Freakmandu Collections: Handcrafted Eco Backpacks with Heart
Freakmandu brings handcrafted, upcycled fabric backpacks straight from Nepal. Each piece is made using traditional techniques, often with recycled cotton and hemp, and supports fair wages for artisans.
Their backpacks offer a low-impact, high-ethics alternative to mass-produced bags 鈥� perfect for students who want their gear to reflect their values.
Why Should You Get Eco-Friendly School Supplies?
At least 40% of the typical school waste stream is paper.
In fact, paper is the largest single component of all school waste.
Think about these facts:
- 础产辞耻迟听900 million trees are cut down聽yearly for materials for US paper mills.
- One ton of recycled paper can save聽17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, and 7,000 gallons of water.
- Glass and plastic beverage containers聽produce about 15% of all waste in schools.
- If you recycle only one glass bottle, it’ll save enough energy to power a聽100-watt electric light bulb for up to four hours
If you buy recyclable, reusable, compostable, or biodegradable school items, you won鈥檛 be fostering the school waste problem but working against it.
Pack a Greener Future, One Supply at a Time
Choosing eco-friendly school supplies isn鈥檛 just about reducing paper waste or ditching plastic 鈥� it鈥檚 about shaping habits, values, and a more sustainable future for the next generation. Whether you鈥檙e a parent, teacher, or student, every swap you make 鈥� from recycled notebooks to plant-based glue or stainless steel lunch boxes 鈥� sends a powerful message.
The brands we鈥檝e highlighted prove that classroom tools can be durable, ethical, and environmentally responsible. So before the next back-to-school shopping trip, take a moment to rethink your list.
Because a low-waste school year doesn鈥檛 just lighten the backpack 鈥� it lightens our collective impact.
