By Kreg Weiss, B HKin • August 25th, 2007

Every year, parents spend millions of dollars nationwide on back-to-school supplies. This year, be sure to shop green. Remember that many thrift stores carry school supplies that will cost you a fraction of retail prices.

Avoid excess packaging. A large percentage of solid waste stream is the result of unnecessary packaging. When given a choice, choose the product that is sensible, not over-packaged, and reuse or recycle packaging.

Look for green labels that let you know the product is certified as environmentally friendly.

Shopping list: What is it made of and Where can I get it?

Water Bottle:
Invest in a reusable water bottle made of metal or non-leaching plastics such as high or low density polyethylene (HDPE #2 and #4)

Calculator:
Both Casio and Texas Instruments offer solar models that don’t need batteries. You should be able to find these at a local supply store.

Shoes:
Recycled materials

www.simpleshoes.com

Backpack:
Hemp, recycled bottles

www.rawganique.com/HAbags2.htm
www.earthpak.com

Pencils:
Recycled denim, currency, sustainably-managed forests

www.forestchoice.com/store/index.cfm
www.greenearthofficesupply.stores.yahoo. net/recjeanpen.html
www.recycledproducts.com/? pid=209&cid=10

Pens:
Recycled materials such as cardboard, refillable corn-based bioplastic

www.frogfile.com
www.grassrootsstore.com
www.greenearthofficesupply.stores. yahoo.net/reccarpenwit1.html

Lunch Box:
Avoid vinyl all together. Metal, recycled plastic soda bottles

www.Lunchboxes.com
www.Reusablebags.com

Textbooks:
Recycled books

www.bookrenter.com

Binders:
Buy more durable ones that you can reuse.

Notebooks & Paper:
Reuse old notebooks, flip them over and start from the back. Otherwise buy those with the highest content post consumer waste recycled.

Kreg Weiss is a co-founder of My Yoga Online and certified Hatha Yoga Teacher. Several years ago, Kreg discovered yoga while teaching health and fitness. Yoga dramatically transformed Kreg's approach to teaching health and wellness as well as changed his personal life bringing new direction in finding physical, mental, and spiritual growth.

Location:  Montreal, CA

Kreg is a co-founder of My Yoga Online and certified Hatha Yoga Teacher. Several years ago, Kreg discovered yoga while teaching health and fitness. Yoga dramatically transformed Kreg's approach to teaching health and...