2023 Non-Toxic Back-to-School Supplies

Here in Brooklyn we have another month of summer, but I know that many of you are already shopping for non-toxic back-to-school supplies.

From backpacks to erasers, and hand sanitizers to sandwich baggies, we’ve compiled 25 items that will have you all set for a non-toxic back to school season! (Scroll to the bottom for 5 additional tween/teen ideas plus 4 things I am getting for myself!)

1. Toxin-Free Nail Polish – My niece tells me this is the most important item–she cannot wait to show off her painted nails on her first day of first grade. From $9.99
2. Sugarcane Composition Notebook – With blank lines for writing, sketching, note-taking, or keeping a journal. $6.15
3. Recycled Rubber Erasers – Environmentally friendly and generously sized. $7.99
4. Organic Lunch Packing Supplies – Fluf’s lunch boxes are preshrunk and fully machine washable, and the snack bags are GOTS certified. From $8.99
5. Insulated Water Bottle – The twist cap on Klean Kanteen‘s stainless steel bottle is perfect for school, sports practice, and home. $29.95
6. Insulated Lunch Boxes, Ice Packs, & Back Packs – SoYoung’s lunch box includes a removable insert for quick cleaning, the non-toxic ice packs will keep your kids lunch cool but dry, and it can all fit into a matching backpack. From $12
7. Stainless Bento Box – Perfect for a sandwich and two sides. We’ve been using our Lunchbot since 2012! $40
8. Non-Toxic Pastels – Earthy-colored, all natural and handmade in Portland, Maine, with wax and mineral pigments. $11.99
9. Bee’s Wrap Lunch Pack – Washable, reusable, and compostable for a waste-free way to pack lunch for school. $14.99
10. Foldable Spork & Pouch – Super practical and perfect for in your child’s lunch bag. $10
11. Compostable Zipper Sandwich Bags – Just like a plastic Ziplock baggy, minus the environmental burden. $5.99
12. Elderberry Gummies – Made of real fruit with no added sweeteners, and perfect for boosting immunity at the start of the school year. $22.95
13. Eco-Friendly Colored Pencils – Great for playtime, art time, and travel time. $3.99
14. Silicone Snack Containers – They’re easy to open so even little kids won’t need help. $8.99
15. Recycled Pencils – Made from recycled newspaper and packaged in a recycled Kraft box. $9.36
16. Hand Sanitizing Wipes – Formulated without harmful ingredients to clean and refresh hands, devices, and surfaces. $22
17. Personalized Cotton Pouches – Each set includes two sizes—perfect for all kinds of school items, from pencils and highlighters to lip balm and hair ties. $47
18. 100% Recycled Notebooks – With sturdy covers made from recycled Kraft paper and the brown lines made from vegetable oil ink. $14.99
19. Non-Toxic Glue Sticks – Plant-based glue, great for school projects, artwork, paper, and decorations. $7.10
20. Reusable Sandwich Bags. Also available in snack sizes, and super easy to wash. $12.99

5 Back-To-School Items for Tweens & Teens

The following five items made it onto my list for my bigger kids this year.

1. Raspberry Almond Cookies – These spelt-flour and oat cookies are sweetened with only pure maple syrup. They are the perfect secretly-nutritious packed lunch item (and fit right into the bento boxes we’ve been using for years). $6
2. Organic Lip Balm – Each of my boys gets a chunky tube of this balm, filled with nourishing organic oils. $4.99
3. Radiation Protection. We are optimistic that EMF isn’t dangerous, but we still err on the side of caution, which means this heat shield under laptops. $124.99
4. Ramp! Smoothie – This new formula was developed specifically for the needs of teens to support attention, focus, mood and energy. $29.99
5. Non-Toxic Name Labels – We haven’t outgrown this need yet, so I use these to customize water bottles, food containers, sports equipment, hats, hoodies, and more. $20

4 Back-To-School Items for Meeeee

This is the last year I will be walking Wolfie to school (wah!), and I’ve promised myself to make getting out the door less frenetic. Here are four lazy-girl items I think will help.

1. Instant Tea. When I don’t have time to wait for water to boil or tea bags to steep, these purity-tested, antioxidant loaded powdered teas are clutch. From $16. Use code GIMME5 for 5% off your order.
2. To-Go Mug. I often walk to school with my tea sloshing around in a regular ceramic mug. This stainless steel, insulated, spill-proof one is soooo much better that it’s actually nuts how long I waited to invest! $32.95
3. Slippers You Can Wear Outside. I just bought these the classic, cozy Birks to slip on before rushing out the door on school mornings. $169.
4. Pajamas You Can Wear Outside. Everything from this new Airplane Collection is perfect for either sleeping in or throwing on before taking the kids to school. From $68. Use code GTGS15 for 15% off your order.

Have a wonderful August!

Stay sane,

Maia, Founder & CEO