Whether your child is getting ready to start preschool or go back to school, you probably already have a list of school supplies that you’ll need to buy. And while you can find great eco-friendly school supplies, they’re unfortunately outnumbered by lunch boxes, backpacks and other common supplies made from Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC, which often contains phthalates. We’ve told you how to avoid this toxic endocrine disruptor in your bath tub, teething toys, changing pads and more. Now the Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) has released a free Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies to help you avoid toxins while shopping this fall.
CHEJ’s goal is for schools to be healthy and free from toxins. In addition to phthalates, PVC can also contain lead, cadmium and organotins, all of which can have adverse health effects and have been linked to asthma, obesity and learning disabilities. Luckily, there are plenty of alternatives to PVC school supplies, and it’s easy to avoid the poison plastic when you’re shopping.
How to Spot PVC
- Look for the word “vinyl” on the packaging: Vinyl 3-ring binders for example.
- Look for the universal recycling symbol #3. CHEJ says, “Just remember — bad news comes in #3s, don’t buy PVC.”
- Still uncertain? Call or email the manufacturer, which should be on the package or online, and ask what material the product is made from.
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