Sustainable Back‑to‑School Shopping Guide for 2025

Prepare your child for school in style without compromising the planet. From eco‑conscious backpacks to circular kids’ fashion, here’s your go‑to guide for sustainable back‑to‑school shopping.

1. Closet Inventory First: Reduce – Reuse – Recycle

• Before buying, assess what still fits and works — this saves money and cuts waste.
• Use a traffic light system: green items stay, amber are marginal, red need replacing.
• Encourage kids to participate— they’ll learn parent-level lifeskills and sustainable habits.

2. Sustainable Backpack Brands

Opt for backpacks made from recycled or upcycled materials.

Torrain: Torrain offers high-quality, sustainable bags crafted for all purposes, perfect for the school year and beyond. With their commitment to using upcycled and recycled materials, these bags not only look good but also make a positive impact on the environment. Choose from a range of unique designs and vibrant colors that your kids will love.

Want more backpack options? Check out our top 5 Eco-Friendly Backpacks, featuring brands that prioritize sustainability without compromising style or functionality.

3. Eco-Friendly Lunch Bags & Boxes

Fluf: Fluf’s organic cotton lunch bags are a hit with eco-conscious families. They’re machine washable, durable, and free from harmful chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and lead. These bags come in playful designs that make lunchtime fun while keeping the planet in mind.

SoYoung: This brand offers insulated lunch bags made from raw linen and other sustainable materials. SoYoung lunch bags are designed to be durable, easy to clean, and stylish, making them a perfect eco-friendly choice for school lunches.

PlanetBox: We love PlanetBox’s stainless steel lunch boxes. We’ve had two that we’ve used for years. Skip the magnets for customizing, as those do cause the box lids to rust over time. But aside from that, these lunch boxes are the BEST! We found that an additional lunch bag isn’t needed, but if your child can’t fit their school supplies and lunch box in their backpack, then you pay want to invest in one of their bags to carry the box externally. These bags are designed to perfectly fit their lunch boxes and are free from toxic chemicals.

3. Reusable Water Bottles That Last

Look, we all know that kids are going to loose 90% of the water bottles that enter your house. With that in mind, this is an area where it makes sense to use what you have first, and not focus on the latest trend with water bottles. But if you need to buy ones, we always opt for stainless steel over plastic. Here are some that we turn towards again and again:

Klean Kanteen: Klean Kanteen’s stainless steel water bottles are a favorite among eco-conscious families. They’re durable, BPA-free, and come in various sizes and colors to suit every kid’s needs. These bottles are built to last, helping reduce single-use plastic waste.

YETI: Known for their rugged durability, YETI’s stainless steel water bottles are perfect for kids who are always on the go. These bottles are designed to keep drinks cold (or hot) for hours and are virtually indestructible, making them a great investment in sustainability.

Hydro Flask: Another excellent option, Hydro Flask bottles are made from stainless steel and are BPA-free. They’re designed to keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours, making them perfect for long school days. Plus, they come in a variety of fun colors and designs that kids will love.

4. Circular Clothing: Durable, Ethical, Resalable

Jackalo: Jackalo specializes in sustainable, durable, and comfortable clothing for kids, crafted from organic cotton. Our clothes are designed to withstand the rigors of childhood play and can be sent back for resale or recycling when outgrown, making them a truly circular option.

Jackalo Pre-Loved: For those seeking even more sustainable options, our Pre-Loved page offers gently used Jackalo clothing at a fraction of the cost. Shopping secondhand is a great way to reduce waste and extend the life of high-quality clothing.

5. Sustainable School Supplies

Once again, our first step is to always check what you have in house that can last another year. Then, make durable, and eco-friendly choices on everyday essentials:

Toyo Steel Toolbox (used as a pencil box!): Tired of pencil boxes that break in the first year or bags that get grubby? Last year we splurged on this Japanese steel toolbox, which is perfect for a school pencil box. I love the bold, fun, colors. But more than that, I love that it came home at the end of the school year looking exactly the same as it started!

Sprout Pencils: Sprout Pencils are more than just pencils—they’re plantable! Made from sustainable wood, these pencils can be planted after use, sprouting herbs, flowers, or vegetables. They’re a fun way to teach kids about sustainability while providing a practical tool for school.

Onyx and Green: Onyx and Green offers a full range of school supplies made from recycled plastic, sustainably harvested wood, and other eco-friendly materials. From rulers to pens, their products are designed to minimize environmental impact while being fully functional.

Decomposition Book: These notebooks are made from 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper and printed with soy ink, making them a top choice for eco-friendly students. They come in a variety of designs and sizes, perfect for any school subject.

Eco-Kids: Eco-Kids provides non-toxic and eco-friendly art supplies like crayons, paints, and play dough. Their products are made from natural ingredients, ensuring that your child’s creativity doesn’t come at the cost of the environment.

Stubby Pencil Studio: Offering a wide range of eco-friendly art supplies, Stubby Pencil Studio is known for their colored pencils made from recycled wood, as well as non-toxic crayons and markers. Their products are perfect for both school projects and at-home creativity sessions.

6. Best Practices: Durability & Minimal Packaging

• For clothes, prioritize high-quality, machine-washable, fade-resistant fabrics. Read review for customer’s feedback with a focus on how long the items last.
• Teach kids to check labeling: choose organic cotton, recycled fabrics, minimal plastic packaging.
• Support brands committed to ethical production and low-waste packaging.

Final Thoughts

Back-to-school season doesn’t have to mean excess waste or overspending. With a little planning, you can choose durable, low-impact essentials that are better for your family—and the planet. Start with what you already have, shop intentionally, and support brands that prioritize sustainability. Small changes can add up to a big difference.