Eco-Friendly School Supplies: The UK Products Tried & Tested

Looking for eco-friendly school supplies in the UK? From sturdy backpacks to plastic-free lunch boxes and low-waste stationery, there are lots of ways to make back-to-school season greener.

There are so many eco products out there – particularly when it comes to kids. Knowing where to start or what’s really green can be a bit of a maze.

After more than a decade of kitting my own kids out for school, I know how quickly the costs – and the plastic clutter – can add up. Over the years, we’ve tested heaps of sustainable options, and these are the eco-friendly school supplies that have genuinely held up to daily school life.

Whether your child is starting school, or going back to school after the summer holidays, then here are our eco favourites. Sharpen your pencils and get ready to take notes!

Guide To Eco-Friendly School Supplies

Here are my top eco-friendly school supplies ideas, from my most practical mum’s perspective. From stationery and indestructible water bottles to lunch supplies and everything in between, I’ve tried to cover all bases.

Secondhand is always the most sustainable option, so it’s always worth checking local charity shops, community Facebook groups, and resale platforms like Vinted. You can often find backpacks, lunch bags, etc, that still have plenty of life left in them.

If you can’t find what you are looking for secondhand, then try out these suggestions:

Eco-Friendly Kids Backpacks

A great place to look for eco-friendly kids’ backpacks is Frugi (available at Mountain Warehouse from £28). I bought one for my youngest daughter, and it lasted for a good few years, despite being chucked around the playground on a daily basis!

The outer fabric is made from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. Meanwhile, the lining is made from 100% recycled polyester. In fact, Frugi says it takes 7 plastic bottles to make this backpack.

From a mum’s perspective, I also love the stretchy side pockets of their backpacks. This means you can pop your kid’s water bottle in there, so in case of leakage, the contents of your kid’s school bag aren’t soaked. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, and never doing that again!

The inside is also really roomy – perfect for stashing all of your kids’ school supplies. Frugi says it fits an A4 folder, but I found we could get a lunchbox and a PE kit in there too.

I’ve also got heaps more sustainable backpack recommendations this way, for all ages.

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Sustainable Stationery For Kids

Once the backpack is sorted, the next back-to-school essential is always the fun one: stationery. It was certainly always my favourite bit, and my daughters are the same.

When it comes to eco-friendly back-to-school supplies, look for stationery made from recycled materials, wood or metal, or durable materials that will last the whole school year.

I’ve found Ethical Superstore has the widest selection. You can find recycled pens, pencils, notebooks, and more.

If you’re looking for particular items, here are some good places to try. I’ve tried to keep things as budget-friendly as possible, as I know costs can easily add up:

• Highlighter pens – these wooden highlighter pencils (£5.99 at Etsy) are a good sustainable alternative to plastic pens.
• Pencil sharpener – a metal sharpener (from £0.95 at Cass Art) helps avoid any unnecessary plastic.
• Rubbers – this PVC-free eraser (£1 at Cult Pens) is free from polyvinyl chloride, a plastic that can release harmful chemicals during its production and disposal.
• Coloured pencils – this set of 12 recycled coloured pencils (£6.50 at Cult Pens) is cleverly made from recycled newspapers.
• Ruler – most rulers are made from plastic, but this wooden ruler (£2.10 at Cult Pens) is made from responsibly sourced maple wood.
• Pencil case – this recycled pencil case, pictured above, (£8 at Debenhams) is a great sustainable option.

And for more stationery suggestions, do check out my guide to eco-friendly stationery. I’ve got even more ideas tucked away in that post.

Reusable Water Bottles For School

Over the years, I have been on the hunt for the best kids’ water bottles. My criteria has, I felt, not been that demanding, but it’s been a tall order. I’ve been looking for something that is:

• dishwasher-proof – too many handwash-only things sit beside the sink for longer than I’d like to admit!
• easy to open by little hands.
• leak-proof – no soggy jotters or school books.
• durable – so that it won’t break if dropped.
• not ridiculously expensive – in case they get lost and need replacing.
• and see-through – many schools require a clear water bottle so that kids don’t smuggle in juice!

It’s been a surprisingly hard search, but I’ve finally found it in Camelbak kids’ water bottles (£11.97 from Blacks). It fulfils all of my requirements, and my kids have loved using them.

For more reusable water bottle recommendations, including plastic-free options, check out my guide to the best kids’ water bottles. There’s lots more good ones in there.

Eco-Friendly Packed Lunch Supplies

And for the one part of your eco-friendly school supplies that you absolutely cannot forget about – the all-important lunch supplies.

I’ve found you don’t need much, and much of what you do need can easily be repurposed from stuff you already have at home. For example, there’s generally no need to buy reusable cutlery – just use what’s already in your cutlery drawer.

You probably don’t need to buy a tub for keeping sandwiches and other lunch foods in. An old Tupperware tub would do the job nicely and be super eco-friendly. However, if you are looking to invest in a lunchbox, then this stainless steel lunchbox (from £15 at Green Tulip) is a good sustainable option. It’s also fully plastic-free.

If you need a bag to keep everything in, Ethical Superstore has a fantastic range of recycled insulated lunch bags (pictured above) – all under £5. These come in lots of fun prints and are made from recycled materials, including the equivalent of one bottle’s worth of plastic.

If you’re trying to reduce waste further, reusable snack bags, beeswax wraps, and refillable containers can help cut down on single-use packaging in packed lunches.

You could also try my guide to plastic-free snack ideas, which has heaps of ideas for low-waste snack options. Just remember to omit any of my nut-based suggestions, as most schools aim to be nut-free.

What About Ethical School Uniform?

I’ve found sourcing ethical school uniform tricky, as my girls’ schools use specific suppliers. It’s particularly frustrating as my eldest daughter’s secondary school uniform is head-to-toe synthetic fibres. I’d love to send her in a more sustainable alternative, but it’s just not an option.

As such, I’ve found the most sustainable and affordable way to dress your kids for school is by using preloved uniform.

If your school hasn’t set up a school uniform swap shop yet, then encourage them to do so. Here, parents can donate outgrown uniform, and swap for uniform in the right size. My daughter’s schools offer them, and they’re a great way to get kitted out for the new school year sustainably.

Need some pointers? Here’s a handy guide from Climate Education on how to set up a uniform swap shop. Failing that, local Facebook groups may be a good way to swap uniform with other parents.

And What About Eco-Friendly School Shoes?

Something else I’ve really struggled to find is eco-friendly or ethical kids’ shoes. There are very few suppliers of ethical kids’ shoes (that I’m aware of). The two suppliers that I did find were eye-wateringly expensive.

I’m also loath to recommend buying kids’ shoes online. Kids’ shoes are trickier to buy because ill-fitting shoes could damage children’s growing feet. I’d recommend visiting a local retailer and getting your kids’ feet measured and professionally fitted.

I go with buying the best quality school shoes I can afford and then try my very best to look after them. I’ve got a full guide to taking care of school shoes so that they last longer if you’re keen to learn more.