Schools
There are many opportunities for schools to enhance their sustainability through purchasing, especially regarding the items that students and teachers use almost every day. Many of these items are primarily made from plastic and finding an alternative can be a challenge. Examples of companies that are trying to provide sustainable options for some of the most common school supplies are provided below.
Dry-Erase Markers
It is estimated that over 400,000,000 dry-erase markers are thrown away each year. It is also projected that the market for whiteboard markers will grow by about 6% from 2023 to 2030. To reduce plastic waste, store markers with tip down so they last longer, and consider purchasing refillable aluminum markers, such as those made by AusPen.
Science Fair Boards
Select tri-fold display boards made from cardboard over plastic or foam to ensure they can be recycled if not reused. Look for boards made from post-consumer recycled content (PRC) and certified by the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) or the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) as being sourced from sustainably managed forests. Companies to consider: Pacon (SFI-certified; 50-60% PRC); Geographics (80% PRC).
Composition Notebooks
Composition notebooks are typically made from virgin paper and use petroleum-based inks on their covers. Look for brands that use post-consumer waste recycled paper (PCWRP) and nontoxic vegetable- or soy-based inks: Decomposition (100% PCWRP), Econama (recycled or FSC-certified paper, vegan binding adhesive), New Leaf Paper (100% PCWRP), and Mintra Products (paper made from bagasse (i.e., sugarcane), covers made from 100% recycled Kraft board material).
Pencils
Use a pencil over a pen whenever possible to reduce plastic production and waste. ForestChoice sells pencils certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) as being made from sustainably managed trees.
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Pens
Did you know that about 4 million pens are disposed of daily in the US (source)? To reduce plastic waste, consider using pens made from paper, FSC-certified bamboo, or certified compostable materials. Examples include Eplanita I'm Perfect for Scribble paper pens, the FSC Bamboo Nash Stylus pen (FSC-certified, bulk orders only), and the SKILCRAFT Bio-Write (refillable, BPI-certified, recycled content).
Canned Water
Americans consumed 16.2 billion gallons (i.e., ~122.7 billion 16.9oz bottles) of bottled water in 2024. This equates to an average of about 47.1 gallons (i.e., almost 357 bottles) per person. These bottles eventually contribute to plastic pollution as they can only be recycled 3 or 4 times. Consider water sold in aluminum cans (which can be recycled an infinite number of times) as an alternative. Brands include Open Water, Liquid Death, Blue Can, RAIN, and Proud Source.
Notebooks
Similar to composition notebooks, spiral bound notebooks are typically made from virgin paper and use petroleum-based inks. Look for brands that use paper that has been recycled or certified sustainably sourced by the FSC. A good example is Econama, which also claims to use non-toxic, vegetable-based inks. (Econama only offers 1-Subject notebooks at this time.)
