15 Eco-Friendly Back-to-School Accessories Under $50
Although back-to-school season isn’t exactly thrilling (though I must admit–I’d trade Mom’s home cooked spaghetti with garlic bread for a late night cafe nosh session with my faves without a doubt right now!) — it does mean one awesome thing: back-to-school shopping.
Flipping through the pages of a new notebook–that smell!–is like an aphrodisiac. And buying a brand new tote for hauling my massive textbooks across campus? Heaven.
So, since I know I’m not the only lady out there who loves stocking up on back-to-school accessories, I put together a list of green back to school accessories, from beauty products to bracelets, that won’t burn through the other kind of green (aka, your hard earned summer cash).
Wallets:
Product Information: Purse Wallet – fashion-conscience, Disco Clutch - denisetjarks.com, Tuxedo Clutch - denisetjarks.com
Shoes:
Product Information: Flats – Mod Cloth. Boots – Mod Cloth , Pumps – Mod Cloth
Bags:
Product Information: Satchel - Alternative Outfitters, Satchel – Swell, Bag – Mod Cloth
Eco-Extras:
Product Information: Journal – Amazon, Vegan Beanie - Alternative Outfitters, Umbrella - Celery Street, Artist Pen Set – Mod Cloth, Pulltab Bracelet - Ecoist, Bamboo Makeup Brushes -parispresents.com
Other Ways to Make Back-to-School More Eco-Friendly:
In Your Closet:
- Host or attend a clothing swap.
- Scour vintage shops before heading back to campus (& again when you get there!)
- Share closets with your friends! When you’re surrounded by all your old bffs (or potential new ones!), borrow a cute shirt before you commit to buying it! Just make sure to take good care of it so they’ll let you borrow again.
In the Dorm:
- Use fair trade kitchen utensils.
- Look for organic cotton to use as window treatments.
- Buy organic cotton sheets & pillows/pillowcases.
- Skip the disposable cups & glasses.
- Use your printer sparingly.
In the Classroom:
- Fill a reusable binder with loose leaf notebook paper instead of buying non-reusable notebooks.
- Buy used textbooks. (Or better yet, try renting them!)
What are your thoughts?
Is eco-friendly fashion important to you? What’s your favorite eco-chic accessory? Are there any other methods you’re using to make your back-to-school experience better for the environment? Any tips for other fashion addicts trying to be eco-friendly? Click below & leave me a comment with your opinion!
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Posted on on August 21, 2010 / Filed Under: Shopping / Tags: Back to School, Back to School Shopping, eco-fashion, Eco-friendly style, Environment, Going Green, Green Fashion, Vegan, Vegan-friendly
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Iris
This is a decent post, but I’d like to see a more in-depth explanation of the benefits of the tip you provide, and why these products you showed us were eco-friendly. It’s difficult to always try to go for the eco-friendly option when the toxic, but consumer-friendly one is easily available, because it’s often not the first thing we think about. Good try, though.
Iris
of the tips* – my bad.
Sarah
I would like to know more about necklaces, earrings for the fall 2010 season
Isabel
That pull-tab bracelet actually looks great! And definitely easy to replicate if you work with jewelry a lot…
Issey
I agree with Iris about the more in-depth tips. :) And going green seems like a necessity – after all the devastating issues we’ve heard on the news from Russia to Pakistan, to Brasil to China.
As for being eco-friendly going back-to-school, instead of buying notebooks or binders with stylized printed covers, I simply bought them with a blank cardboard cover and decorated and personalized them myself — with a going green theme! I always keep non-useful one-side-printed sheets of paper the professors handed out last year and use the backside this year as scrap paper or for notes in a binder. I always write with my favorite rechargeable pencil so to waste less, and have decided to carry a stainless steel water bottle with me all day to waste less plastic bottles or paper cups.
Milana
I’m all for eco-friendly stuff! Great post!
Yvonne
Eco friendly handbags/bags are my favorite!
kelsey
Love the bags! (: I definetly need a new one for the upcoming school year!
xooxoo
http://runawayinla.blogspot.com
lottie
I love wearing eco friendly stuff! I agree with Issey too :-) and the hat would be great for the cold weather! But my fav eco company is rapanuiclothing. I buy things like socks & t-shirts from, they are so comfy! :-)
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