Some green tips for greenhorns

By Lyra Solochek, St. Petersburg Times

Published August 10, 2008 at 3 p.m.

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You don't have to be an adult to have a positive influence on the environment. Here are a few things kids can do to add some "green" to their routine as they get ready to go back to school.

Writing green

* Pilot Pen's BeGreeN pens and mechanical pencils are made from a minimum of 70 percent recycled content and are packaged in recycled materials. Costing the same amount as regular Pilot pens, BeGreeN products are available at office-supply stores. Visit pilotbegreen.us.

* Paper Mate EarthWrite recycled yellow No. 2 pencils. A pack of 48 costs $3.99 at Office Depot.

Notebooks and paper

Look for the paper that's recycled with no bleaching and a high percentage of post-consumer waste. Here are a few:

* The EarthWise composition notebook is 100 percent recycled. It has a printed schedule grid and a metric-conversion chart inside the cover. It's $3.79 at Staples.

* Ampad EnviroTech filler paper is entirely recycled. It has no chlorine, meaning it's more environmentally friendly. It's $5.99 for 100 sheets at Staples.

* Second Nature single-subject wire-bound notebooks from Greenline Paper Co. cost $12.59 for six notebooks at greenlinepaper.com or 1-800-641-1117.

Change the routine

* Conserve water by having your kids turn off the water while brushing their teeth.

* Skip the car line and board the bus. Your parents will save on gas, and it helps cut down on carbon emissions.

* Reduce waste, even in entertainment. Have your kids buy music online instead of CDs, or rent movies instead of buying.

* Reduce the amount of waste by packing a lunch with reusable containers: old silverware, cloth napkins, plastic lunch boxes and reusable drink containers.

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