Back-to-school

With school in session and cold weather approaching for many, we thought we’d give a quick reminder of something we’re all guilty of - idling our cars. When I used to carpool with my kids to school...

In 2004, the CEH (Center for Environmental Health) began testing those adorable vinyl lunchbags we’ve bought, borrowed, and gotten for free as promo items for harmful substances such as lead. They found that even small exposures can cause behavioral and hearing problems, and advised people to buy lead-free lunchbags. The problem - um, where are they?

We love Smencils for so many reasons (besides the fact that they sound so nerdy and back-to-school!) These SMElly peNCILS are made out of recycled newspapers, biodegradable erasers, and recyclable packaging - they wrap newspaper around a standard #2 core (so yes, you can take the SATs with them), and are dipped in wonderful flavors. The pre-scented Smencils come in flavors like bubble gum, cherry, orange, and watermelon, and their smelly-ness is guaranteed for two years!

For older kids, notebooks are a necessity, but if you’re a paper lover like me, your kids probably have a stack of their own as well. Notebooks all over the house means the ability to draw, write, doodle, and sketch whenever necessary. These paper products will help your kids start the school year off right, and hopefully inspire them!

“Teach your children well.” No, we’re not talking about music today, we’re talking about “Back to School” week. As our children head back to school, we’ll take a look at some of the things that affect them most, and the sustainability trends in schools, libraries, and of course the buses that get them there. Most children spend between 5 – 8 hours a day in school. The largest problem with conventional schools is poorChildren at School indoor air quality and bad lighting.