Binders, Notebooks, Paper Clips, Oh My! How to Keep Your Child’s Tools for Success Free of the Poison Plastic

It seems that during the month of August, some stores unfailingly undergo a transition.  All of a sudden, there is a large area at their front displaying a myriad supply of school items, for your back-to-school shopping convenience.  Binders, notebooks, organizers, paperclips, notebook dividers, and more line the aisles in colors and patterns designed to catch the eyes of children and parents.

But behind the mask of bright colors and eye-catching designs, some school supplies are hiding a toxic secret: PVC plastic.  Known as “the poison plastic”, PVC has invaded many common items and poses a real threat to all, but especially to the developing child. For children, exposure to chemicals released by the PVC lifecycle has been linked to cancer, autism spectrum disorder, asthma, and harm the immune and reproductive systems. 

Therefore, it is imperative to avoid PVC to keep your children healthy.  But how do you steer clear of something invisible that’s harmful to our health at every stage of its lifecycle?  By learning its common hiding places!  CHEJ’s brand new 2010 Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies will help you chose the safe alternatives for your children and family.

Here’s some quick tips to get you started ridding this toxic plastic this back-to-school shopping season:

1. Give your binder the once-over.  The colorful material on the binder is often a plastic containing PVC.  Instead, chose binders that are cardboard, fabric-covered, or polypropylene. Check out the new Wilson Jones PVC-free polypropylene binder or Earth Binder’s cardboard version.

2. Take note of your notebook materials.  There are typically two areas to watch for on the standard notebook: the binding and the cover.  Be careful when buying spiral notebooks if the metal spiral is coated in a colorful plastic.  This plastic is usually PVC.  Choose uncoated metal spirals, or composition notebooks without spiral binding.  Also keep an eye on the cover of the notebook.  Covers that are vinyl-y in appearance and texture may contain PVC.  Instead, choose cardboard or fabric-covered notebooks.  A cool source of PVC-free notebooks is Carolina Pad, a brand fortuitously popular among young girls and widely available across the country.

3. Don’t let paperclips exert a toxic grasp on your papers.  Did you know that most colored paperclips are coated in PVC?  Choose plain metal paperclips to be safe.

You can find these and many more tips for avoiding PVC in CHEJ’s 2010 Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies.  The guide features a listing of the most common back-to-school products made out of PVC and safer alternatives in over 30 product categories.  Also, check out the convenient wallet-size version of the guide: just print, fold, and tuck it into your wallet to keep yourself informed on safe alternatives wherever you are!

Remember, PVC is dangerous throughout its lifecycle, not just as a product in your family’s hands or homes.  Manufacturing and disposing of PVC is also highly toxic because it releases dioxin, the most toxic chemical known to man.  Communities around PVC plants or disposal sites have suffered serious health consequences because dioxin has invaded their food and water supplies.  Learn how PVC plants are contaminating Delaware's drinking water and find out how dioxin has worked its way into the food supply. 

Do your part to protect these communities.  Stay clear of the poison plastic this back-to-school shopping season!

Note: CHEJ does not endorse any of these products/companies.