13 Eco-Friendly Back-To-School Supplies for a Sustainable School Year

We know you're holding on tight to the last days of summer, but like it or not, the time to head <a href="http://inhabitat.com/7-green-back-to-school-styles-for-the-preppy-at-heart/" target="_blank">back to school</a> is just on the horizon. Gear up for a new academic year in a green way with some eco-friendly school supplies sure to keep you prepared for even the most daunting assignments. To help you on your way to a higher education, we’ve rounded up all the goods you need to start the school year right -- and as an added bonus<a href="http://inhabitat.com/back-to-school-giveaway-enter-to-win-a-hp-pavilion-dv6-laptop-and-green-prize-package-worth-1155/" target="_blank"> we're giving away a whole slew of these green goodies in our back to school contest!</a> Be sure to enter the contest (worth $1,155!), and jump ahead for your best bets in sustainable school supplies!

The plastic and vinyl commonly used in school binders are not recyclable, but did you also know that they also release dioxins in production? Naked Binders are free of plastics, vinyl or toxins. The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/hug-it-forward-bottle-school/" target="_blank">100% recyclable </a>collection of binders, folders and tabs are also made from 100% post consumer waste. Made in the USA, the Naked collection has everything to keep students organized, and can be recycled when the school year is finished. <big><a href="http://nakedbinder.com/" target="_blank">+ Naked Binder</a></big>

Behance’s Action Method system is determined to get even the most chaotic of minds organized. Their line of products- journals, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/notebook-made-of-old-circuit-boards-is-perfect-for-back-to-school/" target="_blank">notebooks</a>, and calendars, have been a favorite of creative professionals world wide- the 2008 TED Conference even featured a limited edition Action Book. The suede to touch cover is packed with 30% post-consumer recycled paper, with color coded gridding to streamline your thoughts and plans. <br> <big><a href="http://www.creativesoutfitter.com/)" target="_blank">+ Behance Action Line</a></big>

Moleskine notebooks have always been a stylish favorite for notes and planners. Ecosystem <a href="http://inhabitat.com/ecosystem-100-recycled-paper-notebooks-in-vibrant-colors/" target="_blank">brightens up the traditional notebook</a> with their 100% recycled paper journals. Available in bright rainbow colors, the company has already saved thousands of trees, water, and prevented greenhouse gases with their notebooks that feature a trackable ID number, enabling consumers to not only track its origins, but learn how to recycle them post use. <big><a href="http://ecosystemlife.com/products/" target="_blank">+ Eco System Notebooks</a></big>

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Organization is also important at home. A desk organizer keeps supplies handy and ready to use. This Recycled Cotton Desk Organizer from Bambeco looks like leather but is actually made from salvaged cotton from the apparel industry. The journal, note holder, pencil cup, magazine holder, mail sorter and business card rest will keep your <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-k-workstation-is-an-awesome-shelf-desk-hideaway-built-from-bamboo/" target="_blank">home study area</a> in check. <big><a href="http://www.bambeco.com/Office-Accessories/Bambeco-Recycled-Cotton-Desk-Organizer-7pc.asp" target="_blank">+ Recycled Cotton Desk Organizer</a></big>

A high speed <a href="http://inhabitat.com/stunning-solar-powered-luce-laptop-is-light-as-air/" target="_blank">lap top</a> is a staple for students of all ages, and the HP Pavilion dv6t series is the top of the line. A qualified Energy Star device, the dv6t has an incredible smart SimplePass fingerprint reader- no passwords necessary! The super fast processor also has an HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive, which locks in your data should you drop your laptop on your way to class! <br> <big><a href="http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/series/category/notebooks/dv6t_series/3/computer_store" target="_blank">+ HP Pavilion dv6t Series</a></big>

You can save a bundle by bringing your lunch, or make sure your kids are eating a healthy meal. Brown bags are out, and reusable lunch bags and boxes are in! The kids will love the dogs and birds on these bags, and you will love the machine washable 100% organic cotton, and removable rinsable liner. <br> <big><a href="http://www.bambeco.com/Storage/Bambeco-Doggy-Lunch-Bag.asp" target="_blank">+ Cotton Lunch Bags</a></big>

Alladin Lunch Sets compartmentalize your pasta, sandwiches and salads, in 100% recycled food-grade polypropylene and BPA free plastic. Great for leftovers as well, you can <a href="http://www.inhabitots.com/graze-organic-lunch-totes-are-practical-and-pretty/" target="_blank">bring your favorite dishes to the office</a>, and toss them right in the dishwasher when lunch is over. <br> <big><a href="http://www.bambeco.com/Storage/Aladdin-Aladdin-Lunch-Set-Ocean.asp" target="_blank">+ Alladin Lunch Set</a></big>

Lunchboxes aren’t just for the kids. The Lunchopolis set comes with four <a href="http://www.inhabitots.com/green-review-planetbox-lunch-box/" target="_blank">stackable containers</a>, a reusable bottle, and fits inside an insulated top-handled pack. It works as well at the school cafeteria as it does in the break room. <br> <big><a href="http://www.bambeco.com/Storage/Bambeco-Lunchbox-Set-Pink.asp" target="_blank">+ Lunchopolis</a></big>

You can lug your notebooks, binders and pencils to class in style, with a recycled <a href="http://www.inhabitots.com/cardboard-teddy-bag-backpack-converts-to-a-desk/" target="_blank">backpack </a>or messenger bag. The PETE Backpack is made from recycled plastic, and comes in red, blue or black, with convenient pockets for laptops and supplies. <big><a href="http://www.bambeco.com/Bags-and-Cases/Engage-Green-PETE-Backpack.asp" target="_blank">+ PETE Backpack</a></big>

If messenger bag style is more your thing, show your love for New York with this <a href="http://inhabitat.com/london-based-sleeping-bags-turns-old-bed-linens-into-beautiful-tote-bags/" target="_blank">bag</a> that is made from 100% post-consumer plastic bottles. A silhouette of the Brooklyn Bridge is emblazoned in a faux-stencil across the flap. <big><a href="http://www.bambeco.com/Bags-and-Cases/Engage-Green-NYC-Messenger-Bag.asp" target="_blank">+ NYC Recycled Messenger Bag</a></big>

Or go for the Pike <a href="http://inhabitat.com/backpacks-for-kids-get-your-child-and-a-child-in-need-ready-for-school/" target="_blank">messenger bag</a>, made from upcycled innertubes, with a recycled seatbelt shoulder strap. This bicyclist favorite also has reflective safety tape and adjustable straps to keep your belongings secure when you’re on the go. <big><a href="http://www.bambeco.com/Bags-and-Cases/Alchemy-Goods-Pike-Messenger-Bag.asp" target="_blank">+ Pike Messenger Bag</a></big>

Who would’ve thought that toting your school books could gain you more talk time on your cell phone? The Voltaic Solar BackPack soaks up rays while you’re studying in the Quad, which can convert to serious charge time for your devices. Your lunch hour outside can charge your cell up to 4 Watts, or 3 hours of talk time. The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-powered-transformer-robot-is-our-kind-of-autobot/" target="_blank">solar panel</a> also opens up to reveal the perfect pen organization pocket. <big><a href="http://www.voltaicsystems.com/converter.shtml" target="_blank">+ Voltaic Solar Backpack</a></big> With our featured products, you’re sure to start the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/gorgeous-green-roofed-marcel-sembat-school-completed-in-france/" target="_blank">school</a> year off right- organized, charged and of course eco-conscious! Be sure to stay tuned to nab some of these green goods in our giveaway –for you or the special student in your life.