Can you believe that it is nearly Labor Day and the new school year is upon us? Some of you may have older kids going off to school or even children starting at preschool, and with back to school shopping in full swing we thought we’d share these helpful resources to help your child get off to a healthy start:
The CHEJ Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies
A recent study out of Sweden ranked PVC as one of the most widely-used, hazardous plastics in the world. It was ranked as such because of its carcinogenic monomer (vinyl chloride), being the third largest plastic, and requiring the most and often several hazardous additives (such as phthalates, lead, and cadmium).
This guide lists the most common school supplies containing PVC, such as backpacks, lunchboxes, and binders, and how to identify items made with PVC. For instance, PVC products are often labeled with the word “vinyl”. Also, look for the universal recycling symbol with the number “3″ inside it, or the letters “V” or “PVC” underneath it.
The guide also notes other plastics of concern and ultimately suggests choosing non-plastic products whenever possible, but they provide a list of safer alternatives and where to find them.
5 Must-Know Rules for Nontoxic Back-to-School Supplies
Rodale.com lists 4 tips for healthier school shopping and offers an e-book guide, Rodale’s Nontoxic Back-to-School Shopping Guide, containing more than 150 healthy, safe, and kid-friendly product recommendations.
Plastic-Free Lunch Containers and Bags
Beth at My Plastic-Free Life recommends and reviews three brands of plastic-free containers for your child’s lunches and offers discount codes for each.
Here’s to a Happy, Healthy, New School Year!
