Eco-Friendly Back-to-School Essentials for 2025

Discover our favorite sustainable back-to-school supplies for kids and teens. Reusable, plastic-free, and planet-friendly picks for every age group.

Back-to-school season can bring excitement, new routines, and unfortunately, a lot of waste. From single-use plastic packaging to fast fashion and disposable lunch supplies, the environmental impact of this annual reset is real. But it doesn’t have to be. With a few thoughtful swaps, your family can head into the school year with confidence and a lighter footprint.

At Earthshopp, we're all about making sustainability easy and accessible. So we've gathered our favorite planet-friendly school essentials for every age group, from preschoolers to college students. Whether you're new to low-waste living or already a seasoned eco-parent, these picks make it simple to go green this school year.

1. Reusable Lunch Gear Say goodbye to single-use plastic baggies and juice boxes. These lunch upgrades are waste-free and built to last:

Stainless Steel Lunch Boxes: Durable, BPA-free, and endlessly reusable.
Reusable Snack Bags: Lightweight, washable, and perfect for packing school snacks.
Beeswax Wraps: A compostable alternative to cling wrap.
Insulated Stainless Steel Bottles: Keep drinks cold (or hot!) all day without microplastics.

2. Non-Toxic School Supplies Most conventional school supplies contain plastic or harsh chemicals. Try these instead:

Bonus: they’re safer for kids and kinder to the planet.

3. Cloth Napkins for Lunchtime Help kids cut back on waste with reusable, washable cloth napkins instead of paper towels in their lunchboxes. They're easy to pack and clean, and come in fun prints kids will love.

4. Backpacks & Bags Made to Last Cheap backpacks often break mid-year. Choose durable options made from recycled materials or natural fibers like hemp or organic cotton.

Pro tip: Shop secondhand when possible, it's the ultimate sustainable swap.

Why This Matters

The average American family generates a significant amount of waste during the back-to-school season, much of it from packaging, single-use plastics, and cheaply made supplies that don't last. By making conscious choices now, we help reduce landfill contributions, conserve resources, and teach our kids that caring for the planet can be part of everyday life. Each reusable item, eco swap, or mindful purchase sends a powerful message: sustainability matters.

What You Can Do

Choose a few sustainable swaps that work for your family this year.
Talk to your kids about why these choices matter.
Encourage your school or PTA to consider eco-friendly options.
Share what you’ve learned with friends or neighbors starting their own low-waste journey.

Small steps can lead to big changes, and Earthshopp is here to support you every step of the way.

Back-to-school shopping is a perfect time to teach kids about mindful consumption. Small changes, like switching to a reusable lunchbox or choosing non-toxic crayons, can spark bigger conversations about sustainability and personal impact.

Start with what feels manageable. Choose one area to improve this year, then build from there. And remember: progress is more important than perfection.