Eco-Friendly Back to College Supplies - Grad Gifts too.

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Terra Thread's Earth backpack is made of GOTS-certified organic cotton canvas in a Fair Trade factory in India. It has a great configuration for laptops and other school supplies. Zero plastic here or in any of Terra Thread's bags.  

The Ruana 100 percent hemp backpack is handmade in Nepal. It's a perfect size for school, day outings, yoga or the gym. 

Core Hemp's Boho backpacks are made in the Himalayas of 100 percent organic Nepalese hemp. They are lightweight, have a hippy vibe and come in a variety of fun colors. 

8000 Kicks' hemp backpacks are made from industrial hemp, which has been used since 8000 BC. Its properties include being anti-bacterial, needing no fertilizers or pesticides to grow, and it cleans and restores nutrients in the soil.

The Rothco canvas daypack is made with heavy duty canvas that's naturally waterproof. Perfect for day trips, school or work. Opens at the top and has spacious storage compartments. 

The Vera Bradley campus backpack is made of cotton, 50 percent of which is recycled cotton. It comes in a variety of classic motifs and rich solids.

Dorm mattresses are notoriously uncomfortable and lack support. They're also probably not made with non-toxic materials. A non-toxic  mattress topper will provide extra support to help your student sleep well. And it will also create a healthy chemical-free layer between them and the mattress supplied by the school.

Avocado has five organic non-toxic toppers to choose from, including a vegan option. All non-toxic GOLs and GOTS-certified materials. 

My Green Mattress's latex topper is made with GOLS-certified organic latex and GOTS-certified organic cotton. 

Naturepedic's lovely plush Adagio topper is chemical-free and made with certified organic latex and certified organic cotton. 

Savvy Rest offers four toppers, including two 3" options made with GOTS-certified non-toxic organic latex and cotton. 

Ribbed cotton bath towels from Avocado Green Mattress are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton. They are also Made Safe certified, which  is a rigorous scientific screening process that only allows ingredients that are not known or suspected to harm human health, animals, aquatic life, or ecosystems. 

Organic cotton towels from Fabdreams are made in India with local cotton grown without pesticides or other toxic chemicals. They're made in a Fair Trade factory that releases no dirty water into the environment and receives 50% of its power from wind energy. Fabdreams is headquartered in Toronto. 

These organic cotton percale sheets are a good choice for students. Three-piece set includes two sheets and a pillowcase. Variety of colors.

These organic cotton sheets from My Green Mattress are GOTS-certified organic cotton and made in the U. S. They are 600 thread count and soft and silky. 

This delicious-looking comforter from Whisper Organics is GOTS-certified 100 percent organic cotton from India. Even the stuffing is organic cotton. No toxic poly here.  It's a soft ivory color. 

This hand-stitched quilt from Coyuchi is made of 100 percent GOTS-certified organic cotton grown and woven in India. Coyuchi's Memorial Day sale, ongoing now, has 20% off everything, sitewide.

Naturepedic's natural pillow is made with certified organic cotton (the cover) and a non-toxic non-GMO sugarcane-based fill. Completely plant-based and safe and healthy for your student, or anyone else. 

Avocado Green Mattress has a variety of different pillows -- all natural and organic. Most, like this one, are molded natural latex.  All have an organic cotton cover. It's supportive, breathable and non-toxic and helps provide a good uninterrupted sleep.

This chunky organic cotton blanket is weighted for a peaceful comfortable sleep. It's hand-knit, breathable and appropriate for all seasons. Great for naps or nighttime sleeping. Machine washable

This organic cotton bathrobe from Public Goods is made with Turkish cotton and is free of toxic chemicals, including pesticides, dyes and synthetic fertilizers. Non-GMO and vegan.

Avocado's gender-neutral French terry cotton robe is made with 100 percent GOTS-certified organic cotton ethically grown in India. Avocado donates 1% of all revenue to nonprofits fighting for environmental and social progress.

Cotton laundry bags are an easy way for students to schlepp their clothes to the laundry room and the cotton is non-toxice and eco-friendly. Stay away from synthetic bags. They're toxic and don't last as long. 

Clean People laundry sheets, are packed in a handy closable box that keeps the sheets dry and separated. The sheets  contain no dioxane, no SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) no SLES (sodium laureth sulfate), no optical brighteners, no parabens, no phosphates, no synthetic dyes and no chlorine. They are vegan and cruelty-free and made in the US and Canada.

Tru Earth laundry sheets are non-toxic, eco-friendly and much lighter than plastic jugs of liquid detergent. They're biodegradable and better for the environment and for your health. There is no need for plastic jugs of detergent. 

David's Toothpaste is a winner because it's in a metal tube, not a plastic one. Buying not-plastic toothpaste tubes is an easy way to help cut down on plastic waste. Each year 1.5 billion toothpaste tubes are thrown away, most of them plastic. It's also great toothpaste, sulphate-free, fluoride-free and vegan. 

Bite toothpaste bits are another great way to avoid buying plastic toothpaste tubes. Just pop one in your mouth. Free of fluroide, dyes and sodum lauryl sulfate. It also contains nano-hydroxyapatite, a non-toxic alternative to fluoride. And a good travel option as they are light and small.

These eco-friendly bamboo toothbrushes are completely plant--based, even the bristles, which are made from castor beans. Totally biodegradable. No need for a plastic toothbrush and sheds microplastics into your mouth and into the environment.

Send your student to school with eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner bars instead of plastic bottles. There are so many options now, including non-toxic Liggett's, which makes both shampoo and conditioner as well as other natural items. 

The Earthling Co.’s natural shampoo bars are vegan and plant-based, free of sodium lauryl sulfate, silicone, parabens, artificial fragrance, preservatives and other harmful chemicals. Ingredients include coconut oil for moisture, apricot seed oil, hemp seed oil, panthenol (Vitamin B5) and glycerin. They are cruelty-free, made in the U.S. and come in cardboard boxes. The conditioner bars are great too. 

Dr. Bronner's pure castile soap is made with organic oils, is vegan and curelty-free and non-GMO. Can be used for face, body, hair, even hand-washing clothes.  

This brush from the Zero Waste Store is entirely plant-based. The base and bristles are bamboo and the pad is natural rubber. Smart-looking and eco-friendly. 

While most sunscreens come in plastic, some of Badger's sunscreens are packaged in handy round tins. Badger uses zinc oxide as its active ingredient and it's safe for marine life, unlike most chemical sunscreens. Its ingredients are all natural and  it's  broad spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It's cruelty-free and made in the U.S. in a solar-powered factory. This  is a carry-over from summer  favorites because you need sunscreen all year long. 

Making a single cup of coffee is easy with a ceramic filter holder that sits directly on a mug. It takes #2 filters, which can be purchased here. The ceramic is safer than plastic varieties and better for the environment.

These handy cork cable organizers will keep cables tidy and ship next to your desk. They're also great for keeping cables organized when you're traveling. Cork is vegan,  biodegradable and sustainable. They  come 4 to a pack. 

This handy metal three-tiered cart is great for stowing supplies, books, gadgets and snacks. It's a great size and tucks neatly into small spaces. 

These nifty Eco Pens are made from kraft paper with a stainless steel core. No plastic  at all. 

These awesome highlighter pencils do the same job as plastic highlighters but without the plastic. Made from FSC-certified beech wood.. And they won't bleed thru paper. Great eco-friendly alternative. 

This handsome and earthy canvas toiletry bag is strong and durable and  made of Fair Trade organic cotton. Has a handle and a lead-free YKK zipper. 

Wearing blue light blocking glasses while looking at screens helps prevent eye damage, eye strain, headaches and sleep disturbances. These glasses from Defender Shield block 99 percent of blue light and 100 percent of UV light.

This organic vegan eco-friendly lip balm is free of palm oil and bees' wax and is made in the U.S.All ingredients are plant-based and fair trade. Packed in handy metal tins instead of plastic.   

These hair ties, unlike most, are made of cotton. and natural rubber. Zero plastic or synthetic (plastic) materials.. They are biodegradable. Hair elastics may be small but an estimated 15 million are thrown away every day and most are plastic.

Jars are a great way to store everything from lotions to paper clips. They're heavier than baggies and other plastic pouches but much better for the environment and for us. More attractive too. These 4 oz. jars are great. I have them myself.

Terra Thread's handy canvas cosmetic bag is made from 100 percent organic cotton -- great for your student, for manufacturers and farmers and for the environment. Purchases support the Feeding America campaign to end hunger. 

This double-walled glass mug from Earth Shopp keeps beverages hot or cold longer than regular coffee mugs. It has a biodegradable bamboo lid to help prevent spills.Made from high-end borosilicate which makes these glasses thinner, lighter and stronger.

Every college student needs a Swiss Army Knife. I got mine in college and still have it. It's great for repairs, emergencies and standing in for missing tools and gadgets. 

Terra Thread's canvas bag, backpacks and accessory bags are 100 percent plastic-free and made of organic cotton. Honestly, anything from this outstanding eco-friendly manufacturer would be a wonderful gift for a grad or anyone. They are well made, good looking and last a long time.

The Zero Waste Starter Kit makes a wonderful gift for a college student -- or anyone. It includes great eco-friendly necessities like shampoo bars, plant-based floss, shower loofah, laundry sheets and tons more. At a super price right now, $100, which is more than 50% off. 

The Environmental Working Group tested the effectiveness of a number of free-standing water filtration systems at removing dangerous PFAS chemicals. Their top choice was the Travel Berkey filter system. Perfect for kitchen counters or dorm rooms. In addition to PFAS, the filter system, which uses activated carbon to purify water, also removes a long list of other toxins including heavy metals and inorganic materials. 

I love this bright little banana-colored pen and pencil case and best of all it's made of organic cotton. And no plastic in sight. 

Corkor's faux leather products are vegan and Peta-approved. They look, feel and behave like leather but are plant-based and cruelty-free. This slim bifold wallet has a minimalist design and is ideal for someone who doesn't need any extras or unnecessary details.

These sleek key rings are made from cork, a natural sustainable eco-friendly material. Cork is vegan, hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, waterproof, lightweight, durable and biodegradable. Handmade in Portugal. 

No need for plastic. This eco-friendly glass water or drink bottle from Life Factory has a silicone wrap to protect it and make gripping easy. 

Cat's Studio has beautifully-designed whimsical frosted glasses depicting scenes from dozens of colleges and universities around the U.S. These all-around drink glasses make a  wonderful gift for a student or grad from a featured school. 

Sunski’s contemporary sunglasses are made from recycled post-industrial scrap plastic. And they are mailed in a cardboard box cleverly folded inside to cushion the glasses and avoid the need for additional cushioning or a protective plastic bag. The lenses are 100 percent UV protected and polarized. Sunski is a member of One Percent for the Planet, donating one percent of profits to environmental causes.

This laptop pad blocks radiation emanating from the bottom of the computer from reaching your body. It shields ELF, RF radiation, wifi, bluetooth and 5G radiation. Slim and non-slip, it takes up almost no space and is an important accessory. 

Defender Shield's hollow air tube EMF-Free headphones deliver acoustic, signal-free sound to your head & ears, instead of dangerous electromagnetic signals that  come with Bluetooth or even fully wired earbuds and headphones.

We are increasingly exposed to RF radiation from cell towers and antennas, wifi routers, cell phones, laptops and smart devices. Wireless radiation is linked to cancer, neurological diseases, sperm damage and reproductive damage, immune and endocrine system disruption and more.There are a lot of products offered by businesses like Defender Shield such as this radiation-shielding phone pouch. 

This fantastic shoe from 8000 KIcks is made from hemp (the upper sections) and algae blooms (the sole). There is a synthetic lining in the sole -- from recycled materials -- but the majority is hemp and algae-based. By using algae, 8000 Kicks helps to remove harmful algae from waterways. They have a wide variety of other hemp and algae shoes. The men's shoe is pictured here. The women's style is here. 

This wallet is made entirely of hemp. It also has an RFID shield for protection of information, such as credit card details, in the wallet. It has a hidden sleeve and a secret stash pocket. Good looking and functional and great for the environment. Hemp needs no pesticides or fertalizers to grow and it captures CO2 from the environment. 

Terra Thread's laptop carrying sleeve is made of heavy duty organic cotton, cotton padding and zero plastic. Safe for people, safe  for the environment. Made in a Fair Trade factory. This one pictured is designed for a 14-inch MacBook Pro. This one here is made for a 16-inch MacBook Pro.

The Ultimate College Student Handbook is a guide for students responsible for their own health for probably the first time. It's not about academics or making friends. It's about how to keep yourself healthy while  making the most of the college experience. Written by a doctor with two college students of her own.