6 Essential Supplies for an Eco-Friendly Back-To-School

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/8-scrumptious-vegan-bbq-recipes-for-summer/">Summer</a> is quickly winding down and it's almost time for many of us to head <a href="http://inhabitat.com/back-to-school-picks-green-furnishings-for-your-dorm-or-apartment/">back to school</a>! To help you get through the academic school year in a green way, we've rounded up our 6 favorite eco-friendly school supplies, all sure to get you through more than just a couple of semesters. With everything from recycled pencils to durable project binders in hand, you'll be ready for just about anything your teacher throws at you! We're also getting ready to launch our amazing <a href="http://inhabitat.com/back-to-school-giveaway-enter-to-win-a-hp-pavilion-dv6-laptop-and-green-prize-package-worth-1155/">annual Back-To-School contest</a>, so stay tuned to see what awesome eco-goodies we'll be giving away in this year's prize bundle!

<h3><a href="http://www.nakedbinder.com/store.cfm?Id=b8e6000b-aed3-6208-8b02-bb463672c997&amp;action=Products&amp;subaction=detail" target="_blank">Project Binders</a></h3> These binders are a great alternative to those plastic hardcovered binders. These Project Binders are bare to the bone; made from 97% <a href="http://www.nakedbinder.com/anatomy-of-recycled-board.cfm" target="_blank">FSC</a> certified post consumer waste, like recycled magazines, newspapers and office papers. Strong and sturdy, the colorful spines are made from 100% cotton book cloth and a water-based glue and can withstand some serious academic abuse. <p> <big>+ Project Binders $7.50 - $10.00 at <a href="http://www.nakedbinder.com/" target="_blank">Naked Binder</a></big>

<h3><a href="http://www.ecosystemlife.com/" target="_blank">Ecosystem Journals</a></h3> <h3><a href="http://www.ecosystemlife.com/" target="_blank">Ecosystem Journals</a></h3> Even though they're technically journals, you can totally for jotting down everyday notes and assignments. Ecosystem offers three types for every kind of student: architect (grid paper), artist (non-lined) and author (lined). The journals are <a href="http://www.ecosystemlife.com/ingredients/footprint/" target="_blank">made in the USA</a> from 100% <a href="http://www.ecosystemlife.com/ingredients/eco_info/" target="_blank">recycled materials</a>. Each journal comes with a special ID number that you can take online, register, and if you somehow lose your book, whoever finds it just needs to fill out a contact form online and an e-mail will be sent to you telling you where it is. When you're done with your journal, Ecosystem will even <a href="http://www.ecosystemlife.com/recycle/" target="_blank">recycle</a> it for you. <big>+ <a href="http://www.ecosystemlife.com/" target="_blank">Ecosystem</a> <a href="http://www.ecosystemlife.com/products/detail/architect/" target="_blank">journals</a> $6.95 - $19.95</big> Even though they're technically journals, you can totally use these as notebooks. Ecosystem has three types of journals for every type of student: architect (grid paper), artist (non-lined) and author (lined). The journals are <a href="http://www.ecosystemlife.com/ingredients/footprint/" target="_blank">made in the USA</a> and are made from 100% <a href="http://www.ecosystemlife.com/ingredients/eco_info/" target="_blank">recycled materials</a>. Each journal comes with a special ID number. Take this number online, register your book and if somehow you lose your precious book, all the founder needs to do is fill out a quick contact form online and an e-mail is sent to you. When you're done with your journal, Ecosystem will even <a href="http://www.ecosystemlife.com/recycle/" target="_blank">recycle</a> it for you. Can't get any better than that! + <a href="http://www.ecosystemlife.com/products/detail/architect/" target="_blank">Architect journals</a> $6.95 - $14.95, <a href="http://www.ecosystemlife.com/products/detail/artist/" target="_blank">Artist journals</a> $9.95 - $19.95, <a href="http://www.ecosystemlife.com/products/detail/author/" target="_blank">Author journals</a> $6.95 - $18.95 at <a href="http://www.ecosystemlife.com/" target="_blank">Ecosystem</a>

<h3><a href="http://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/other_stuff___insoles___polish/biodegradable_pen/10563_p.html" target="_blank">Vegetarian Shoes Biodegradable Pens</a></h3> Old pens end up in landfills all the time. Switch it up this year by getting these biodegradable pens made from corn by <a href="http://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/" target="_blank">Vegetarian Shoes</a>. They may be a shoe company, but don't let that discourage you, these pens are made to last even longer than regular pens. <big>+ <a href="http://store.veganessentials.com/biodegradable-pens-by-vegetarian-shoes-p416.aspx" target="_blank">$1.49</a> at <a href="http://store.veganessentials.com" target="_blank">Vegan Essentials</a> + <a href="http://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/other_stuff___insoles___polish/biodegradable_pen/10563_p.html" target="_blank">£1.95 GBP</a> at <a href="http://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/" target="_blank">Vegetarian Shoes</a></big>

<h3><a href="http://papermate.com/Pages/recycled.aspx" target="_blank">Paper Mate Earth Write 100% Recycled Pencils</a></h3> You'll need a stock of pencils to keep up with all those math problems (or doodling). These Paper Mate <a href="http://papermate.com/Pages/recycled.aspx" target="_blank">pencils </a>are made from 100% recycled wood and come with a smudge resistant eraser. If you're more into mechanical pencils, Paper Mate has a biodegradable corn-based <a href="http://papermate.com/Pages/biodegradeable.aspx" target="_blank">pencil</a>. <big>+ <a href="http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/625467/Paper-Mate-Earth-Write-100percent-Recycled/;jsessionid=0000KKdIzSUrE6gAECZule2-V7j:13ddq0sic" target="_blank">Pack of 48 Paper Mate 100% Recycled Pencils</a> $7.89 at <a href="http://www.officedepot.com/" target="_blank">Office Depot</a></big> <big>+ <a href="http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/410022/Paper-Mate-Earth-Write-Mechanical-Pencils/" target="_blank">2 Paper Mate Earth Write Mechanical Pencils</a> $6.29 at <a href="http://www.officedepot.com/" target="_blank">Office Depot</a></big>

<h3><a href="http://www.greengurugear.com/medium-zip-pouch-recycled-bike-tube-p-7.html" target="_blank">Green Guru Gear Case</a></h3> So, where are you going to put all your eco-friendly pens and pencils? In your recycled inner tube case, of course! Green Guru’s medium zipper pouch is the perfect size for all your writing utensils. Made in the USA from recycled bicycle inner tubes, these pouches are water resistant, super sturdy and stylish. <p> <big>+ <a href="http://www.greengurugear.com/medium-zip-pouch-recycled-bike-tube-p-7.html" target="_blank">Medium Zip Pouch</a> $9.95 at <a href="http://www.greengurugear.com" target="_blank">Green Guru Gear</a></big>

<h3>&lt;a href=&quot;https://store.swellbottle.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TWB&quot; target=&quot;_blank <h3><a href="https://store.swellbottle.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TWB" target="_blank">Lunchbox S'well Stainless Steel Bottle</a></h3> We hope you don't plan on bringing water bottles to school! This <a href="https://store.swellbottle.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TWB" target="_blank">S'well</a> bottle is beautifully designed alternative to plastic, and the best thing about it is that it's insulated, so it won't sweat! S'well bottles are non-toxic, non-leaching, and BPA free. The mouthpiece is big enough to drop in ice cubes, but small enough so water doesn't drip out when you sip. S'well also donates 10% of all the bottles proceeds go to <a href="http://www.wateraidamerica.org/" target="_blank">WaterAid</a>, an organization that builds clean, safe water sources in Africa and India. <big>+ <a href="https://store.swellbottle.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TWB" target="_blank">$25</a> at <a href="https://store.swellbottle.com/" target="_blank">S'well </a></big>"&gt;Lunchbox S'well Stainless Steel Bottle</a></h3> We hope you're not bringing water bottles to school! This <a href="https://store.swellbottle.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TWB" target="_blank">S'well</a> bottle is beautifully designed and the best thing about it is that it's insulated, so it won't sweat! S'well bottles are non-toxic, non-leaching and BPA free. The mouthpiece is big enough to drop in ice cubes, but small enough so water doesn't drip out when you sip. S'well also donates 10% of all the bottles proceeds go to <a href="http://www.wateraidamerica.org/" target="_blank">WaterAid</a>, an organization that builds clean, safe water sources in Africa and India. + <a href="https://store.swellbottle.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TWB" target="_blank">$25</a> at <a href="https://store.swellbottle.com/" target="_blank">S'well </a>