Summer is winding down and with it, those last days of vacation and leisure. For those of you with kids, it’s back to school shopping time. Time to load up the shopping cart with paper, pencils, new clothes, shoes, and whatever else the kids can get out of you. There is currently an increasing trend for being “green,” and there are many ways to have an “eco-style” and protect the environment with your back to school purchases.

Sustainable products have become more available and much trendier!

Have fun, practice your three R’s: Recycle, reduce and reuse. You can save some trees by getting recycled paper with the highest percentage of post-consumer content. You can also find pens and pencils that are made from cardboard, biodegradable cornstarch or from 100% recycled materials. You can find these items at any Office Depot or at www.greenearthofficesupply.com.

If the weight of last year’s book load created a necessity for a new book bag, look for a new bag that is PVC-free. All brands carried at REI (Jansport, Northface, Marmot, Victorinox) are always a safe bet. But you can also get reused canvas and leather bags and be sustainable and in-style.

Instead of sending your kids to school with bottled water, pick up a reusable metal, tin, or sleek stainless steel container. These are much more sterile, they reduce waste, and they eliminate the threat of chemicals found in plastics. If you choose to use a plastic container, stay away from plastics that have the numbers 3, 6, or 7. These are toxic plastics that disrupt hormones and possibly contain human carcinogens that can leach into your child’s food.

You can find great clothes with organic cottons, not only are they soft, but many of them are recycled!

Best of luck with the back to school hustle and bustle! Just remember that because you shop “green” doesn’t mean you can’t be in style.

Click here for more tips: www.greenearthofficesupply.com

[Photo from GreenWhiteOrange via Flickr]