You can go ahead and take brown paper bags and sandwich baggies off your shopping list.  This is a new green school year, and there are lots of fun ways to pack a no-waste lunch to take to school – and to the office.

Put Away the Paper Bags:

You might have everything you need at home to go garbage-less. You may already have a lunchbox or cooler bag hanging around.  Or do it yourself:  When I was a kid, our mom sewed simple drawstring bags that were lightweight (they crumple up in the bottom of your backpack after lunch) and machine-washable. …read more of A Healthy, Waste-Free Lunch here

As mom to a high schooler and a fourth grader, I am now a veteran school supply shopper. Fortunately, buying eco-friendly school products for my kids has only become easier in recent years. Earth-friendly products can now be found everywhere from convenience stores to big box stores, as long as you keep an eye out.

Here are some cool and widely available eco-friendly school supplies to look for this season.

Pencils: Paper Mate’s Earthwrite pencil looks like your basic pencil except that it’s made from 100% recycled wood. Dixon Ticonderoga’s taken a different tact and skipped wood altogether with their line of Renew pencils made from recycled tires. Forgo the electric sharpeners with these sleek black pencils. And I just can’t resist the whimsy of scented Smencils constructed of recycled newspaper. …read more of Searching for Sustainable School Supplies here