Eco-Friendly Back to School Essentials

As summer comes to a close, it’s time to pull out the back to school shopping list and get ready for the new school year. From school supplies to school lunches, there are a ton of opportunities to make more sustainable shopping choices this year. Fortunately for you, there are many eco-friendly back to school essentials on DoneGood to make your school shopping experience easy. 

From backpacks made from organic cotton to non-toxic crayons, we’ve broken down our top back to school supplies by your child’s age. Let’s dive in! 

Sustainable Back to School Essentials for Every Age

Early Development


Honeysticks | Beeswax Crayons

Safer, bigger, and more durable than traditional crayons, these beeswax crayons encourage pencil grasp development and creativity in little ones. They’re made from 100% natural, food-grade ingredients and packaged in plastic-free recyclable packaging. For older toddlers, try the Long Beeswax Crayons! Shop all Honeysticks products here.


Tikiri Toys | Meiya & Alvin New Friends Book

Great for encouraging early language development, this children’s book tells the story of Meiya and Alvin and their new friends. Handmade in Sri Lanka, this book is made from 100% recycled card paper by the women owned business Tikiri Toys. Shop all Tikiri Toys products here.


Honeysticks | Watercolor Book Set

This set features 8 vibrant and long-lasting colors made from 100% natural, food-grade ingredients. The recyclable product and packaging reflect our commitment to sustainability, making it an eco-friendly choice for your little artist. This watercolor set encourages creative development while being gentle on the planet. Shop all Honeysticks products here.


Conscious Step | Baby Socks That Save Dogs

Made from organic cotton and recycled polyester, these adorable socks donate 1% of every purchase towards non-profits that save and rehome dogs from shelters across the country. Sizes 1 to 3 years feature silicone grippers to prevent sliding, too! Shop all Conscious Step products here.


Kindergarten to Elementary School

The Tote Project | Meow Meadow Pencil Pouch

Designed with a colorful, whimsical print for the cat-lovers in your family, this organic cotton pencil pouch is one of our back to school essentials. Plus, 10% of profits from this product are donated to anti-human trafficking initiatives. Shop all The Tote Project products here.


Tikiri Toys | Lion Backpack

Help your toddler gain a sense of confidence with this fun yet functional backpack! It features two adjustable shoulder straps and a top handle that allows you to fit the backpack perfectly to your child. Shop all Tikiri Toys products here.


Preserve | Mini Food Storage Containers 4pk

Reduce single-use plastic waste at lunch time with these reusable mini food storage containers from Preserve. Made from recycled plastic, these mini containers are 8oz each – perfectly sized for smaller children’s lunches. Plus, they’re dishwasher safe, making clean up a breeze. Shop all Preserve products here.


Terra Thread | Batai Pencil Bag

Keep your kiddo’s school supplies organized with this perfectly sized pencil pouch. Made from organic cotton canvas, this pouch is durable to stand the test of time – while coming in a variety of fun colors your family will love. Shop all Terra Thread products here.


Middle School

Preserve | Lunch Kit

Make packing school lunches simple. This lunch kit is made from 100% recycled plastic, and includes a 25oz food storage container with a snap-on lid and a cutlery set with a fork, knife and spoon. Shop all Preserve products here.


The Tote Project | Dog Lover Pouch

Keep essential school supplies organized in style with this adorable dog pouch. Handmade by women escaping trafficking in India, this pouch is made from 100% organic cotton with a colorful interior. Perfect as a pencil pouch or snack pouch! Shop all The Tote Project products here.


Terra Thread | Earth Backpack

A sustainable backpack for your student. This spacious backpack features a front zippered pocket, 2 external water bottle pockets, and a dedicated laptop sleeve. Plus, it is produced in a fair trade certified factory in India and made from organic cotton fabric. Shop all Terra Thread products here.


High School 

Olive+Comet | Sarita Flatware Set

Swap out single-use plastic cutlery with this reusable, durable utensil set. Hand carved from sustainable and durable bamboo, the utensils fit into a natural jute and cotton carrying pouch – perfect for storing in lunch boxes or taking on-the-go. Shop all Olive+Comet products here.


Terra Thread | Laptop Sleeve

From homework to after-school activities to studying, this laptop case keeps your technology protected (and stylish)! Made with Certified Fairtrade Organic and manufactured in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory, this laptop case is a back to school essential thats easy on the planet. Shop all Terra Thread products here.


Made for Freedom | Cord Wrap

Keep the essentials organized with this innovative tech cord wrap. Crafted from natural vegetable dyed leather, these cord wraps keep your headphones, chargers, and cables tangle-free and ready to use. Shop all Made for Freedom products here.


MADE FREE | Roll Top Backpack

Made from weather-resistant polyester and vegetable-tanned leather, this backpack is made for long school days and after-school activities. It features a large front pocket, 1 water bottle pocket, a padded laptop compartment, and small interior pockets for organization. Shop all MADE FREE products here.


Shop Back to School Essentials on DoneGood

DoneGood makes it easy to do all of your back to school shopping in one place. Looking for other supplies? Explore 100+ ethical brands on DoneGood here!


Shop all Back to School products on DoneGood here.


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