A Guide to Greener Art Supplies
Get Crafty, without the Chemicals 
Back to School shopping means stocking up on art supplies too! If you want to conserve resources and make art that’s good for the imagination and the environment, here are some pointers for the shopping spree.
Paper: Look for 100% recycled paper, with a high percentage of that consisting of post-consumer waste. Paper that’s FSC certified contains wood that’s sustainably harvested, helping shift the market away from illegal logging, water pollution, and displacement of indigenous people. Also look for chemical-free paper that’s bleached without chlorine to help reduce pollution. A couple of good brands are Canson drawing pads, made from 100% recycled paper (found at Blick) and Eco-Kids Eco-Paper, which is actually “tree-free,” made from the discarded stalks of banana trees.
Paint, Markers, Pencils and Crayons: Natural paint is the way to go, and there’s plenty out there made from minerals pigments, earth-based clay, and even milk, without the use of chemical dyes or petrochemicals. The same goes for markers; look for those with plant or mineral dyes, that don’t contain harsh additives. Crayons of the non-toxic variety can be made from bee’s wax or soy, and colored pencils can be made from recycled newspaper, like fun, scented Smencils.
Clay: Non-toxic clays are so safe that some of the packages will even claim they’re edible. While that doesn’t mean you’ll be spoonfeeding it to the baby, you’ll realize how easy it is to have chemical-free clay when you make play dough, putty, and even slime at home using basic ingredients in your cupboard like flour, salt, and baking soda. Or you can pick up or order brands like Mama K’s playdough, For My Kids Happy Fun Dough, or Eco-Dough.
—Renee M. Rutledge
