Back-to-school has become a retail season, so much so that I (and many others) refer to it as “back-to-school season”. Brands are targeting us all with sales and special deals for school-related items, and if we aren’t careful we can fall into the black hole that is consumer culture. In this highly requested post I’m sharing all of my favorite tips for having a more sustainable back to school season. There are some non-consumer related tips, some ways to shop more consciously (if you do like to buy new things for back-to-school), and some other things to think about as we head into a new season.

The most important thing you can do to have a sustainable back-to-school season is by using what you already have. Let me say that again in case you missed that: USE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE.

• Have notebooks from last semester that are only half-way filled up? Use them again for other classes.
• Have a backpack that doesn’t look brand new but still does the trick? Use it.
• Have some mismatched pens and pencils with some life still in them? Use them.
• Have plastic tupperware from old takeout orders? Use them for lunches or snacks throughout your long days of classes.
• Have mason jars? Use them for snacks instead of ziplock bags.
• Have gameday clothes from last year? Wear them.

Don’t feel the need to participate in consumer culture if you don’t need to or don’t want to.

I know that some people are super into school supplies, and having new products allows some of you to feel like you can start fresh for the school year. If this sounds like you, here are some of my favorite sustainable school-related supplies:

Decomposition Notebooks

The notebooks I use for all of my classes (and at work) are decomposition notebooks. They are made from post-consumer recycled paper and are printed with natural soy inks. I bought one new notebook for this year, and three half-used notebooks from last year (some lasted two semesters already and still have some life left in them!). If you go to USC, they sell them in the bookstore.

Backpacks

Two of my favorite sustainable backpack brands are Fjallraven Kanken bags (specifically their Re-Kanken backpacks) and Rewilder. I have a mini Fjallraven re-kanken and just bought a new school-sized re-kanken for this school year and beyond. Though I have my old sorority backpack that can still do the trick, I thought a more professional backpack would be more appropriate for grad school. Fjallraven is a responsible company in the first place, but their re-kanken backpacks are made from recycled plastic bottles. Check them out here. Rewilder backpacks are cool in that they are made from industrial waste like advertising mesh, seatbelts, and airbags (!!!). These bags are also made in Los Angeles. Shop them here. Both are great options if you need a new backpack, want something sustainble, and want to support responsible companies.

Writing Utensils

Need highlighters? Think about buying pencil highlighters instead of plastic ones. These are made from natural, renewable materials instead of plastic (which comes from oil). Need pencils? Think about buying Sprouts pencils instead of mechanical pencils. Sprouts pencils can be planted once they have been used up and have seeds where the eraser would be. A friend gave me some of these at an event last year and I’m excited to plant my lavender and forget-me-not seeds once they are used up. Need pens? Consider going old school and buying a refillable fountain pen. Fill up the ink when you need to instead of throwing away a pen and buying a new one every time the ink runs out.

Recycled Ink Cartridges

When I buy ink cartridges I like to buy them from this very specific Amazon seller: LxTek. They are recycled ink cartridges and with every purchase they send you a pre-paid shipping label to recycle your old ink cartridges. This is a simple way to change out something you already buy on a regular basis that isn’t the best for the planet with something more responsible.

Reusable Stasher Bags

I personally don’t have any of these, as I prefer to use little jars or tupperware for my snacks, but I have heard nothing but incredible reviews on these reusable ziplock-type bags. These are great for snacks on the go, especially for back-to-back days of classes. They don’t spill, can be thrown in the freezer and can even hold hot food. 

For those of us who love convenience: I put together an Amazon storefront shop with most of the items I discuss here so you can shop them all easily. Shop here.

Buy used textbooks, or rent your textbooks if that’s an option. This will not only save you money, but it will also reduce the amount of paper you use.

Use a reusable coffee cup. I may not be a coffee drinker but I have lived above a Starbucks for three out of my five years at USC, so I get the whole need-a-tea-for-class thing. Last summer I invested in a reusable cup and now save 10 cents on every order (while also reducing my plastic use by an insane amount). Cardboard hot coffee cups aren’t recyclable and aren’t compostable because they’re coated in plastic, so using a reusable alternative is simple, cost-effective, and will have a big impact on the environment.

Keep a utensil kit in your backpack. As someone who likes to be prepared, I have a utensil kit in my school backpack, in the trunk of my car, in my purse whenever I leave my apartment, and in my work bag. That way I never need to use plastic utensils! You can make your own utensil kit with a reusable paper towel or bandana and silverware, or you can buy a set on Amazon.

Be conscious of your energy use and printing habits. Print only what you need and print double-sided when possible. Unplug your toaster during the day and unplug your computer charger when you aren’t using it. If you live in an apartment building you’ll probably save on your energy bill, too.

Shop for school spirit gear secondhand. I have found my best USC tees and sweatshirts (like the one I’m wearing in this post!) at thrift stores, on eBay, and even on Poshmark. If you go to USC, Boody EcoWear also has a line of branded gear in the bookstore!! I was a Boody ambassador on campus last year and love my bamboo USC Boody gear.

Be conscious of the packaging on products that you buy new in stores. Buy loose veggies instead of veggies wrapped in plastic. Choose printer paper that comes in a box instead of wrapped in plastic. Buy snacks in bulk instead of individually wrapped. When you have the option to buy something with less packaging or more sustainable packaging, take it.

Get involved with sustainability efforts on your campus. This is something I want to focus on this year as I have a bit more flexibility with my schedule. Find out if your school has a sustainability office or committee, or if there is an environmental science class you can take. Get involved in Fridays For Future Climate Strikes in your area, ask your school https://www.acteevism.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/pexels-jess-loiterton-9269202-scaled-1.webpistration what they are doing about sustainability, and talk about it with your friends. Individual actions are great, but we also need to be holding larger corporations and entities responsible for their environmental impact. Your school is a great place to start.

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