Back to School with EcoPaper

Looking for eco-friendly back to school supplies?

If so then be sure to check out ecopaper.com for their great selection of tree free papers made from bananas, coffee, mangoes, lemons, tobacco and more.

Yes, that’s right they have tree free paper made from all kinds of wonderful agricultural products that are often discarded during manufacturing of other products.

Ecopaper uses agro-industrial fibers that come from the waste of processing bananas, coffee and tobacco. Their research and development department is currently studying new fibers from pineapple, orange and palm hearts and researching the possibilities of using these materials for paper making.

The industrial process leaves behind a lot of waste. The packing of bananas pulls apart the bunches of bananas from the main stem which leaves the pinzote left over. The pinzote contains 5% of usable fiber that becomes paper through Ecopaper’s processes.

The processing of coffee leaves behind the waste of peels, leaves and small beans that are separated from the coffee that will be turned into drinking products. The waste materials are used to manufacture their coffee paper.

By-products of tobacco that are used to create tobacco paper are the leaves that are separated from the tobacco veins.

All of these wonderful, tree free agricultural waste products are collected and turned into uniquely beautiful paper by Ecopaper.com.

Sketchbooks, notebooks, writing papers, specialty craft papers, card stock and more can be found at Ecopaper.com.
But what you are probably looking for right now is back to school notebooks, eco-friendly style.

Imagine how special your kids will feel starting school with earth friendly products like banana paper and lemon paper notebooks? They might be the only kid in class that has something as cool as a banana paper notebook.

Ecopaper notebooks come in a variety of designs including butterflies, macaws and dolphins.

Check out what they have to offer at http://www.ecopaper.com/catalog/office-school-1

Eco Back to School with Stubby Pencil Studio

Eco-friendly pencils, soy crayons, smencils, Forest Stewardship Council approved colored pencils, banana paper notebooks, washable markers, recycled paper sketchbooks andjournals…Stubby Pencil Studio has eco-back to school supplies for your little ones.

I love Stubby Pencil Studio because they have the cutest and most practical eco-art supplies for my kids.

Crayons, pencils, markers, notebooks…all necesary school supplies. Some years the teacher and school provide specifics other times we get a list of supplies needed for that class. I haven’t received a list or any school information yet. It would be nice to know what we need before hand. You wait until the week before school and suddenly everything that was on sale for pennies is now three times the amount it originally was.

As far as eco-supplies go Stubby Pencil Studiooften has reasonable prices no matter what time of year it is. Sure the items cost a little more than traditional ones but I am not purchasing for the whole school, just two school age kids that need a few things like pencils and markers. A big hit with my kids are Smencils and the Monkey pencils.

Smencils are fun pencils made from 100% recycled newspaper and soaked in eco-friendly fragrance to give the pencils a fun scent.

Monkey pencils are made from rubber wood and finished with non-toxic color.

I am waiting for my official school list to see exactly what I need to buy, plus I need to take stock of what the kids have. If they have markers and colored pencils that are in good shape they won’t need new ones. I know pencils, pens, and notebooks are always a must so those are on my list.

What’s on your back to school shopping list and do you know where to find budget friendly eco-alternatives?

Summer Is Almost Over but There's Still Time to Throw in a Little Eco

Are you considering adding a little eco to your last bit of summer fun but you’re worried it will be too difficult or time consuming?

You forget about those worries because going eco can be easier than you ever imagined.

Here are some easy eco summer tips that anyone can do:

Support local farmers. If you don’t have a green thumb or if you want a larger selection than what you can grow visit local Farmer’s Markets and roadside veggie stands. Even if the produce isn’t organic, shopping local is far greener than buying produce that’s been grown and shipped from hundreds and thousands of miles away. Plus you are supporting the local economy.

Visit LocalHarvest.org to find markets near you.

Shop Green. One of the things I love most about summer is all of the garage sales, flea markets, and yard sales. I love “treasure hunting” for amazing steals, deals and unique finds. Not only can you find toys and clothes for the kids you can even find some amazing items to decorate your home, yard and garden- especially if you know how to refinish furniture or craftily upcycle items that may need a little TLC.

Why is shopping this way green? Because it’s all used and pre-owned items- no new materials are used to make them and once again it’s a great way to support the local economy.

Party Green. Summer is filled with backyard BBQs, cookouts, picnics, and parties – and the last thing you want to deal with is a sink full of dishes after a big get together. But filling the garage bin with plastic cups, plates and silverware isn’t very eco.

Good thing there are many eco options now when it comes to eco friendly yet disposable tableware. The key thing for maximum eco-effectiveness though is that the eco-tableware should be composted so it biodegrades faster- the way it was meant to. If it isn’t possible to compost the disposables- it is still greener to have used eco-versions instead of plastic and Styrofoam- neither is very eco.

There’s a wealth of places online where you can stock up on eco-goods. BambuHome.com, Verterra.com, EcoWareProducts.com, EarthenTrading.ca, Birchaware.com, GreenPartyGoods.com, and GreenPlanetParties.com all offer different types of eco-party and tableware supplies: plates, bowls, napkins, eco “silverware”, cups, and tablecloths made from eco-friendly, sustainable, recycled or recyclable materials.

Have a local green vacation- or even better a staycation. By staying local you support the local economy and save on travel expenses and carbon emissions- both very green things to do.

Another great green option is having a “staycation”. You can pitch a tent in your own backyard and have a campout with the kids without ever going anywhere. You can also explore local attractions that you may not have visited before- or at least haven’t visited in awhile.

And don’t forget there’s always a festival or carnival going on throughout the summer- be sure to include a few of those in your local summer fun.

Seven Back to School Crafts for Kids

Trying to get kids excited for back to school but not having much luck? Get them involved with making their own school supplies! This will help them get excited and have a chance to showcase their own style.

Dress up plain pencils, blah binders and boring books with scrapbook paper, stickers, or fabric. You can make just about any of the following ideas green by using only what you have on hand.

These crafts can help get kids ready to go back to school with supplies they helped dress up.

1. Lunch Money Locket

I love this lunch money locket found on Family Fun. Use an old mint or candy tin you already have on hand so you don’t have to purchase any new materials.

2. Organizer

Have a budding artist in your midst? Check out this fantastic artist’s organizer over at Martha Stewart.

Create it using felt you already have on hand or felted material from old sweaters. You could also substitute felt for another heavy duty fabric you may have on hand like upholstery swatches or thick canvas.

3. Book Blanket

Want to give boring books and notebooks a stylish look?

Try these cute book blanket crafts found at Family Fun.

4. Owl Backpack

I love owls, so when I spotted this hooty back pack on Martha Stewart I just knew I had to show everyone.

Perfect for little ones who want something special for back to school.

5. Decorated Pencils

Easily dress up boring pencils with some tape and paint.

6. Ipod/Cellphone case

These pocket purses found on BHG are so cute. They are the perfect size for ipods and cellphones.

7. Decorate Three-Ring Binders

I also found this back to school DIY idea on BHG. It is a great idea for dressing up plain old binders! Just add stickers, string, and craft paper for a one of a kind work of art.

For more back to school craft projects check out:

Danielle’s Place. They have a whole list of back to school crafts. I really adore the can pencil holder and the duct tape bookmark, name plate, and name tag.

Martha Stewart also has a list of back to school crafts.

If you have a little girl who would like to dress up her denim check out Making Friends for some sparkly inspiration.

5 Eco Clothespin Crafts

Once upon a time, a along time ago, I had a clothesline, but alas it is gone and all that remains is a bucket full of clothespins.

So what’s a girl to do with all these wooden clothespins?

Craft with them of course!

There are many simple clothespin crafts you can do. Remember the reindeer made with clothepins from elementary school? Or how about the crazy bat clothespins?

Here are a five more clothespin crafts that can be updated for adults.

1. Gift Tags

The creature comforts blog has a of couple nice tutorials for making clothespins into pretty gift tag holders or even a fancy photo holder.

2. Recipe Card Holder

The Disheroons blog has some nifty recipe card holder DIY instructions. They are so easy, even a kid can do it but it can be updated with adult style.

3. Wishing Well

I love this little clothespin wishing well.

My oldest son actually made me one when he was in elementary school .

This wishing well could easily be used as a pretty centerpiece at a wedding or party. Simply fill the inside with candies or small flowers to dress it right up.

4. Photo Holder

Martha Stewart has a lot of cute clothespin crafts including this photo hanger.

5. Memo Rack

As well as this great memo rack .

Martha Stewart has many other clothespin crafts too.

What do you make with clothespins?