Woman in Real Life

In part one of my eco-friendly back-to-school series, I showed you the stylish, child- and earth-friendly backpacks and lunch bags that my children will be taking to school next week. Today, I have some more cool, eco-friendly options to share with you.

I am excited about these products because they all come from innovative companies that truly care for our earth. They offer amazing school supplies and waste-free lunch products. If you love great stationery and lunch containers like I do, you must explore these extraordinary options. Read on to win some goodies of your own too!


First up is this fun kit from TreeSmart. It kind of makes me want to go back to school. My kids are fighting over this one, so I might just have to keep it myself. TreeSmart's company philosophy is based on the belief that we are all responsible for our environment and must promote the wise use of our global natural resources.

Since 1998, TreeSmart, located in Lake Oswego, Oregon,  has been making pencils from recycled newspapers. They wrap whole newspaper sheets around high-quality graphite, so there's no mulching or mixing with toxic recycling chemicals. TreeSmart uses a special adhesive formula to bind the newsprint together into a cohesive core trunk that's as hard as wood.

TreeSmart also makes recycled newspaper colored pencils and recycled newspaper and plastic rulers. Visit their online store to see more products. TreeSmart also offers a "Newspapers for Pencils" school fundraising and recycling program.


Another great source for amazing, eco-friendly supplies, Stubby Pencil Studio is the creation of mom-of-twins Kate Rosenthal, who recognized a need for environmentally friendly, do-it-yourself stationery products for young kids. Kate sources quality creative products that are unique, non-toxic, recycled and educational.

Just have a look at some of Stubby Pencil Studio's offerings, above. The pencils are made from recycled cedar wood scraps. Made in Italy, Coccoina glue sticks are created with potato starch. They're gluten-free, non-toxic, non-solvent and acid-free. And they smell like almond marzipan. Yum!

Perhaps my favourite item of all is Stubby Pencil Studio's eco highlighters. Unlike standard highlighters, these highlighters are eco-friendly - they use no plastics, ink solvents or volatile organic compounds. They have a natural wood finish that makes them look like pencils, so my family and I initially questioned whether they would actually work well. It turns out these highlighters glide smoothly on the page, leaving the same finished look as a conventional highlighter. But they are actually much more fun and easy to use! And they won't leave a splotch on your pants if you drop them. That's golden.


I believe in having a little fun with our school and office supplies, whether we are kids or grown-ups. Also sold at Stubby Pencil Studio, I think these made-in-Germany KUM carton sharpeners are adorable. They are made from recycled materials and feature cute wildlife graphics. The beechwood tops hold double pencil sharpeners for standard and jumbo pencils. The high-carbon steel blades are sharp, long-lasting and replaceable.


Kate also sells these Alpino triangular coloured pencils, which are made in Spain. The ergonomic triangular barrel shape increases finger contact with the pencil surface for improved control that helps children to learn proper hold. They are made from reforested wood.


Jolly Superstars Duo felt tip pens are like two sets of markers in one. Each marker has a thick tip on one end and a fine tip on the other, making them convenient for artwork and school projects. The vivid colour inks are washable and non-toxic.

Stubby Pencil Studio's prices are quite reasonable too, so you'll find that being eco-friendly doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg.


If you are a fan of beautiful journals and sketchbooks (and who isn't?), be sure to look at the captivating designs on ecojot's website. In fact, the website itself is a lovely feast for the eyes. These people clearly know design. Founded by brother and sister Mark and Carolyn Gavin, ecojot creates eco-friendly stationery, paper goods and custom products featuring whimsical and inspirational designs.

Ecojot is a sustainable brand of made-in-Canada products that are now available in hundreds of locations around the world. The company offers a range of recycled journals, sketchbooks, children's sketchbooks, gift wrap, calendars and note cards that make wonderful gifts and personal keepsakes.



With the sale of every ecojot jumbo journal, like these beauties above, a child in need receives a workbook or pen to build their literacy skills. Ecojot's "GIVE" program was inspired by children that founder Mark Gavin visited in schools in Kenya. Children like James, a boy who had lost his father to a tribal war. Mark noticed that James erased the content of his workbook every time it was used up. He told Mark that he didn't know when he'd be able to get another workbook.

Through their "GIVE" program, Ecojot has donated over 250,000 workbooks and 44,000 pens so far to children in Haiti, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Poland, Honduras, Niger, St. Lucia and Zimbabwe. Learn more by visiting ecojot on Facebook. If you live in the Toronto area, you can support ecojot's programs for children by attending their 2nd Annual GIVE concert on September 26th.


In my opinion, school lunches are the worst thing about back to school. My kids are picky about what they will take, and they wouldn't dream of eating a simple sandwich. In order to make my life easier, I like to make sure I have the right sizes and quantities of food storage containers.

I am thrilled with the bounty of containers I got from Preserve. Not only are these containers sturdy, bright and attractive, they are also 100% recycled and recyclable. Preserve products are made from #5 polypropylene plastic collected from individuals through their Gimme 5 program and from companies like Stonyfield Farm. The plastic is cleaned, tested, recycled and given new life as Preserve products. Choosing Preserve plastic over conventional products makes for a sizeable reduction in greenhouse gases emitted and significantly less water, energy, oil, natural gas and coal used.

We can never get enough mini food containers in this house - for packing crackers, grapes, dips and sauces and all sorts of other foods. If the same holds true for your household, check out Preserve's mini food storage 6-pack. The colour of green apples, these mini containers hold 8 oz. of food. They are ideal for baby food, snacks, leftovers and yogurt. 

All of Preserve's containers have seal-tight, screw-top lids that won't pop off in your bag. The lids are made of the same recyclable material as the containers themselves. And they are stackable, so you have a fighting chance of keeping your cupboard tidy! They are also dishwasher-safe, because, well, who wants to wash a pile of dishes at the end of the day?


Preserve also offers recycled and recyclable cutlery, designed to be dishwasher-safe and withstand hundreds of uses. Preserve products are BPA-free and made in the USA.

Save 25% off Preserve food storage!

Another very cool and increasingly popular waste-free lunch option, Wrap-N-Mat reusable sandwich and snack wraps are fun for kids and adults alike. This construction trucks wrap/mini set will be enjoyed by my son. I've got my eye on the organic cotton apples wrap/mini set for myself.

The genius of these wraps is that they fold nicely and securely around your food, but when it comes time to eat, they unwrap into a nice, clean placemat. I really could have used these when my kids were small! They would work well for eating in the car, at the park and, of course, on a school desk.


The original wrap (above, right) is perfect for a sandwich, and unfolds into an octagon shape.The mini pouch (above, left) holds a half of a sandwich or a handful of chips or crackers. The inside is lined with food safe plastic to keep food fresh. The lining is free of lead, phthalates, BPA and PVC. Just wipe it down after each use! The wraps are also dishwasher safe.

Founder and creator Bonnie Smith developed the idea for Wrap-N-Mats in 1997. With four kids under the age of six, Bonnie often packed up lunch and headed to the park. One day she ran out of plastic sandwich bags and decided to improvise, grabbing a paper towel and masking tape. An idea was born. Bonnie began cutting and sewing prototypes with different shapes, materials and linings. With over 1.4 billion sandwich bags thrown away weekly, Bonnie hopes that plastic baggies will one day become a thing of the past. Wrap-N-Mat also has a school fundraising program. I wish my kids' school would sell products like these!

Back-to-School Eco-friendly Innovators Giveaway

Residents of Canada and the US can enter to win one of two incredible, earth-friendly prizes. Prizes may not be exactly as shown. Please enter using the rafflecopter widget below until September 12th.


First Prize:
$30 Preserve food storage bundle
$20 gift card to spend at ecojot
TreeSmart deluxe back to school gift pack
5-pack of highlighters and a sharpener from Stubby Pencil Studios

Second Prize:
$30 Preserve food storage bundle
Wrap-N-Mat "Stars on Black" wrap/mini set



a Rafflecopter giveaway


Linking to Contest Canada

*I was provided with products for review purposes. All opinions are my own.