By Noelia Almanzar, Alliance Intern from Rutgers University ‘26
As I move back to college, I’m making a list of essential supplies for the new school year. Students, teachers, and businesses alike are busy taking advantage of the back-to-school sales. But two questions come to mind: Do we really need to buy new supplies every year, and are the supplies we’re buying safe for us and the planet? Investing in high-quality, sustainably-sourced and reusable items may cost more upfront, but can last longer and thus save money, while providing better quality and reducing landfill waste and annual purchases.
The decisions we make — even about something as simple as office supplies — can have a huge impact on the environment. From the paper we use to the pens we write with, these everyday items are often overlooked as contributors to waste and pollution. According to Unsustainable Magazine, the EPA estimates that paper and paperboard alone account for about 25% of landfill waste, waste that could have been avoided.
Where You Can Get Sustainable Office Supplies…
Traditional office supplies, often made from non-renewable resources and packaged in plastic, contribute to deforestation, pollution and the growing problem of landfill waste. By investing in sustainable office supplies, we can reduce our environmental footprint and support eco-friendly businesses. That may all sound great, but where to start?
While going entirely digital is a great option to reduce waste, some physical items are essential in the workspace. Sustainable office supplies should be made from recycled or renewable materials, and designed to be reused or easily recycled to reduce environmental harm.
In my search for sustainable supplies, I also looked for resources that come packaged with minimal or eco-friendly materials. Here are some companies that have done a great job at offering sustainable office supplies.
Dolphin Blue
Dolphin Blue is an eco-friendly company and Alliance Sustainability Partner committed to improving the world we live in. Since 1994, they have offered environmentally friendly, recycled, and green office supplies, including printing paper, card stock, laser toner, and inkjet cartridges, post-consumer recycled paper, organizers, file folders, pocket folders, and other green office supplies and printed stationery items. In 2013, they expanded their product line to include eco-friendly kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, pet products and much more.
They support initiatives that foster education and awareness on issues of sustainability including energy alternatives, organic agriculture, reducing waste, and overall, using less stuff. As a third party-certified B Corporation (committed to environment, social and governance responsibility), Dolphin Blue serves as a trusted source for environmentally and socially responsible products.
To help you get started, here are a few of their eco-friendly products worth considering:
Pens: B2P Bottle-2-Pen Recycled Gel Pen
These pens are the world’s first pens made from recycled bottles and provide vibrant G2 gel ink for smooth effortless writing. They are also retractable and refillable! On Dolphin Blue, a four-pack costs $9.59
Pencils: BIC Ecolutions Mechanical Pencils
Each mechanical pencil is made from 81% recycled plastic (excluding leads and erasers) and the paperboard packaging is 100% recycled content and recyclable. It also includes three lead pencil refills. The cost for a 24-pack of mechanical pencils is $10.59.
Weekly Planner: House of Doolittle Weekly Planner
Priced at $23.19, this easy-to-use planner is made from 100% post-consumer recycled FSC-certified paper with soy inks and is made in the USA to reduce shipment emissions.
Rocketbook
While it’s not exactly an entire stationery store, I can’t help but love the Rocketbook supply line. Its main goal is to combine stationery supplies, mostly notebooks and planners, with the newest technology. Their Rocketbook notebooks are reusable, made of partially recycled materials, and are 100% post-consumer recyclable.
While they acknowledged their first designs were not very sustainable, they found the potential in their work and are making strides to help the environment. With their new models, they not only help reduce waste but also help you save money in the long run by eliminating the need to purchase new notebooks.
Notebooks: Rocketbook Core
With the Rocketbook Core, you still get the traditional feel of pen and paper, but with a twist: your writing can be erased and the notebook reused, making it an eco-friendly choice. With the snap of your camera and with the Rocketbook app, your writing is saved to your device. Then, the writing can be cleared with a damp towel.The notebooks can also be connected to cloud services for easy storage and organization. They recommend you buy their erasable pens to write on their notebooks. One Rocketbook Core costs $36.99.
Sticky Notes: Reusable Sticky Notes
Similar to the Rocketbook Core notebook, these sticky notes are reusable and durable. This means you can eliminate the clutter from your workspace and all that overconsumption in paper. A pack of three costs $13.99.
Other Eco-Friendly Choices
Here are two more eco-friendly choices I like that support a greener lifestyle:
Printer Paper: Hammermill Printer Paper
This printer paper is made of 100% post-consumer recycled paper, made with materials from well-managed forests, recycled materials, and/or other controlled wood sources as certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. This sustainability feature is among the many backed by Amazon’s Climate Friendly Pledge. For a pack of 500 sheets, it costs $16.25.
Highlighters: Schneider Job Highlighters
The Schneider Job Highlighters are manufactured using processes that reduce the risk of negative environmental impact as certified by Blue Angel. A six-pack of highlighters costs $8.85.
Amazon’s Green Leaf Program
Green Leaf Program is a step in the right direction. They ensure that products meet trusted third-party sustainability certifications.
Support for Environmentally Friendly Supplies
As we become more aware of the environmental consequences of our choices, we have the opportunity to make choices that are healthier for us and the planet. While these green options can sometimes cost more, they’re often similarly priced. Let’s live better, more environmentally sound lives with every consumer action we take. By opting for eco-friendly alternatives, we can collectively make a difference. Happy officing!