Row of girls holding hands and looking out at the lake

10 Sustainable Back-to-School and University Essentials


Row of girls holding hands and looking out at the lake

 
It’s almost the (dreaded!) back to school shop and we wanted to make life a little bit easier for parents and teens by compiling 10 sustainable back to school essentials! 

Reusable Water Bottle

We all know the importance of staying hydrated, and we love this stainless steel, lightweight bottle from Nurture Collective. It’s dishwasher safe and sturdy - perfect for busy parents and clumsy kids.

Making sure to keep the bottle clean and fresh, these LoofCo Coconut Fibre bottle brushes are ideal for the job. EcoCoconut is a multipurpose bottle brush for cleaning baby bottles, wine glasses and reusable drinking bottles. 100% Plant-based and vegan!

2 people hold reusable water bottles. The one on the left is white and on the right is black

 

Menstrual Cup, size Mini

If your teen is happy to try one, menstrual cups are ideal for reducing plastic waste and they’re more convenient than you’d imagine! They can be safely left in for 12 hours (more than the usual 8 for tampons) and used whilst swimming and doing activities as well as general day-to-day life. They provide worry and leak-free periods all day and all night! For every sale of the OrganiCup, we donate £1 to support menstrual hygiene projects in schools in Uganda - this means your purchase makes a difference to the planet and the people on it!

 

3 teens in bright clothes gather around an organicup cardboard box, reading the instructions

 

Plastic-Free Chewing Gum

If you like to chew gum, why not make it plastic free? The UK's first and only plant-based, plastic-free gum. 100% home compostable, natural and vegan. However, make sure it's not going underneath any desks! Save it in paper and compost when you get home. 

Chewsy plastic free gum

Natural Beeswax Lipbalm

Keep your lips soft and not chapped with this Oxfordshire made lip balm from Neve's Bees. It comes in a metal tin, ensuring it stays safe and sustainable! Available in several scents, and made naturally with a mix of beeswax, essential oils, plant oils and butters

Eco-Friendly Stationery


Stationary is a school must-have, so why not try and buy it sustainably? Wearth London has a beautiful selection of eco-friendly notebooks, pencil cases and more. Going for options made from recycled materials isn’t the perfect option, but it’s better than conventional products! As well as encouraging the use of scrap paper and writing double sided, refillable pens or using pencils can also be another simple way to reduce your overall waste!

 

Pink, brown and white notebooks are placed over each other. In the bottom right there are 2 pens

 

Headache Relief Balm - Rosemary and Peppermint

For those who need some natural relief from any screen and study induced headaches! This is an all-natural, vegan and cruelty-free headache relief balm. Apply to your temples to relieve headaches and migraines.

Reusable Snack Bag

These washable, reusable Snack Bag are perfect for carrying snacks or for use as wet bags for reusable wipes. They're a zero-waste alternative to single use plastic wrap and perfect for a lunchtime snack!

Comfy Girls’ Bralettes

Our girls’ bralettes are very similar in style to our adult women’s bralettes. They’re gentle and kind to skin, and are made from 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton that is also Fairtrade and PETA-approved vegan. Designed to fit ages 9+, choose your favourite pattern or neutral colour and leave the rest up to us. 

It can be tricky to find the right first bra as a young girl - many of the styles out there are too structured, or often just a crop top! Y.O.U Underwear’s first bras for girls are the perfect option if you’re looking for a bra that’s sophisticated, stylish and comfortable! 

 

Y.O.U Underwear's 4 fun patterned girls' Bralettes. Blue on top, then yellow, grey and pink

 

Feminist Scrunchies 

Our sustainable, Organic Cotton and Eco Elastic scrunchies from Eliza Eliza are the perfect way to celebrate women and make a feminist statement!

Did you know that 65% of people were embarrassed to say the word vulva? If you like bright colours, the Colourful Vulva pattern is a great way to start conversations. We should be encouraging all teens to be having these conversations and helping break down the taboos behind them. 

For those who like a more minimalist look, the Monochrome Boobs pattern might be for you. Subtle but powerful - the pattern shows a variety of different boob types and aims to serve as a reminder to love yourself.

We also have sea turtles and women designs, for those who prefer something more toned down!

 

2 organic cotton scrunchies on top of each other, one colourful and one black and white

 

Plastic Free Hair Ties

If you prefer something more subtle than a scrunchie, these neutral plastic-free hairties may be the choice for you. They're a handmade, eco-friendly, plastic-free, biodegradable alternative to classic plastic hair ties. 

Enjoyed reading this? Why not sign up to our weekly newsletter for exclusive discounts and content! Plus, we plant a tree for everyone who signs up. Click here to sign up to the Positive Pants Club. 

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.