Back-to-School Eco Checklist

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Paper Holders

Carlos's first pick: Abundant Earth Recycled Notebook Binders, 1"-3" wide, made from 35-38 percent recycled post-consumer corrugated cardboard and assembled by Goodwill Industries. Minimum purchase is by the case of 8, 10 or 16, from $46.95 to $62.95, depending on size (www.abundantearth.com, 888-51-EARTH).

Oxford 100 Percent Recycled Portfolios are 85 percent PCR; $3.99/10-pack (www.staples.com, 800-3STAPLES).

Earthwise Hanging File Folders are made with 100 percent PCR and a minimum of 25 percent PCW, PCF; $8.95/25 per box (www.greenlinepaper.com, 800-641-1117).

Miscellaneous Supplies

3M Post-its, yellow, 30 percent PCW; $8.19/10-pack/3"x3" www.officedepot.com, 800-GO-DEPOT).

Daily and Monthly Planners, 30 percent PCW and printed with soy ink, also have a recycled cloth cover, from $15.97 (www.dolphinblue.com, 800-932-7715).

At-A-Glance Recycled 16-Month Desk Pad Calendar, 22"x17", 30 percent PCW, $8.85 (www.staples.com, 800-3STAPLES).

Vis-a-vis Waterbase Overhead Expo 2 Projection Markers have a lower odor and are less toxic than conventional ($7.49/8-pack); same goes for Staples Dry-Erase Markers, $3.98/4 pack (all at www.staples.com, 800-3STAPLES).

Lunch Boxes & Containers

Avoid these plastics:

#3 (PVC/phthalates; hormone disrupters),

#6 (polystyrene/styrene; human carcinogen) and #7 (polycarbonate/bisphenol-A; hormone disruptor).

Thermos Sport Bottle 2460 has a sporty look, a stainless-steel exterior and interior and keeps beverages cold 10 times longer than plastic bottles; $27 (www.thermos.com, 800-831-9242).

Rubbermaid #5 Sip-in Style Tumblers have an easy oval opening (Target Stores, The Container Store, Sam's Club).

Asiana West Trans-Pacific Lunchbox comes in 4 versions, tin or stainless steel, from $12.95 (www.asianawest.com).

Alpine West Cool Tote Lunch Sack is insulated with Thermo-tek fiber made from recycled plastic soda bottles; $15.97 (www.cooltote.com, 888-826-6533).

Rainbow Reed Lunchboxes and Picnic Bags are individually handwoven by a family in Peru and Fair Trade Regulated; $19.95-39.95 (www.worldofgood.com, 510-528-8400).

Biodegradable Earthware Utensils and Plates, safe for hot foods, look and feel like plastic but are made from wheat with a shelf-life of 5 years; dishwasher safe, degrade in compost pile; $25 for 5 settings (www.treecycle.com, 406-549-4572).