| Go Green When You Go Back to School By: Christina Anthony It’s that time of year again; back to school shopping season. Whether you are a freshman hoping to start your high school career off right or a returning senior who wants her last year to be a blast, it’s all about smart shopping for the latest trends. Let’s start with supplies. The less you spend on supplies the more you will have for your fashion budget. Shopping the Web offers a larger variety of eco-friendly products at the best prices. Just don’t forget to shop early because shipping may take a few weeks. Pencils are making a comeback, and eco- friendly pencils made from recycled denim jeans or post consumer product paper show that you’re ready to get an A and help save the world. These recycled denim pencils can be found online at Green Earth Office Supply (12/ $6). Staples offers pencils made from recycle tires (10/ $3.99) and OfficeMax has reclaimed wood pencils (12/ $1.29). Stylish go-green notebooks, binders and backpacks can also be found at a reasonable price. eBAGS has a variety of eco-friendly backpacks ranging from around $40 up to $200. Hemp Sisters also makes stylish bags from sustainable hemp ranging in price from $30 to $50. Sustainable Group has a variety of recycled binders (ReBinder) and notebooks (ReWrite). You can purchase a back-to-school kit containing a binder and dividers, 6 notebooks, 3 pens, 6 folders and 9 CD covers for only $44.99. In need of a calculator too? Canon USA has created a calculator cased in 100% recycled Canon copiers, and Computer Gear sells a water powered calculator that never needs batteries ($19.99). Now that you’ve picked out your notepads and pencils, there’s no reason not to look stylish while you study. Let’s start with the basics. Form fitting tops and ankle snapping spikes are out this fall. Earth tones are popular this season: dark reds, greens and mustard yellows are mixing it up with browns and tans. Sixties flower patterns are back with vengeance. And flats are leading the way. To complement your eco-friendly school supplies, the bohemian style is back and can be created with a stop by your local thrift shop. It’s go vintage or go home. GreenLoop has an online list of great designers and brands as well as a green store to buy the fashions you like. We know it’s not always easy to find green clothing that is also fashionable, but you can still help the environment by reducing your non eco-friendly fashion finds. Lucky for you, it’s all about accessories this season. You can purchase a few plain T’ s and dress them up with necklaces, earrings and bangles. ThisNext has a variety of eco-friendly accessories to complement your wardrobe. The same shirt can create several looks without breaking the bank or causing an environmental uproar. If you are able to be eco-friendly, save some cash for college and be on top of the latest trends, your friends will want to do the same. You will be ready to start the school year off right and carry that through to next summer. |
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