It’s back to school time and it’s time for you to go shopping. You know you’ll have to get new pencil, binders, lunchboxes and other stuff for your kids. But did you know that many of these items can contain toxic chemicals that you would not want your kids to be exposed to. Yes it’s true. Your kids may clamour for high tech gear with characters from their favorite cartoons when it comes to buying back to school supplies. But you need to be the toxic parent police by educating yourself and them as well. The great thing is that you can now buy safer supplies for your kids and help the environment too because there are many new items on the market that will allow you to accomplish both.
Binders and Book Covers
Instead of going for the day glow green binders that may contain unsafe chemicals, look for cardboard, fabric, or plastic binders that use polypropylene, which is a safer plastic. Plastics to avoid are those that contain vinyl. Instead of purchasing book covers, make your own using paper grocery bags. Have your kids decorate them with non-toxic markers and stickers to jazz them up. Back to school supplies do not have to be boring.
Lunch Boxes and Other Food Containers
Again, avoid vinyl lunch boxes which can contain lead or phthalates. Choose cloth or bamboo lunch bags. For wrapping food, use can use reusable cloth bags or if you use plastic bags, then use those made from polyethylene, such as Glad bags and plastic wrap. Even better use waxed paper or aluminum foil to wrap lunches. Aluminum foil is even recyclable in some cities. Instead of plastic water bottles that can contain bisphenol A (a hormone disrupting chemical), choose unlined stainless steel.
Backpacks
Choose cloth bags or avoid the vinyl bags. Some vinyl-free materials include cotton (canvas), nylon, and polyester. You can even make your own to save money on back to school supplies.
Pack A Healthy Lunch
Buying safer school supplies is great, but it’s also important to pack a healthy lunch free of pesticides to put into the healthy lunchbox. Buy organic whenever you can, particularly fruits and veggies high in pesticides such as apples, carrots, grapes, lettuce, peaches, and strawberries. Fruits and veggies that have a covering are generally have a lower pesticide risk, however, broccoli and asparagus do too!
What About Microwaving?
If you are providing a lunch that needs to be microwaved, make sure it is in a microwavable container. Avoid plastic wrap covered containers as chemicals from the plastic can leach into the food.
