I came across a great list of back to school supplies the other day at FrogFile. There was a (PDF) list for elementary school students, high school students and post-secondary school students. Not only do they list the supplies, they suggest the most environmentally friendly alternatives on the market. Here are some of the highlights (and highlighters).

The Better Binder

This is one of my favourites as the kids get to doodle on it and make it their own. We have at least one kicking around the house and they are great. Made from 100% post-consumer recycled chipboard, it can be recycled when you are done with it. The ring can be attached to a new sleeve and a brand new binder is born.

Earthzone Pencils

These pencils are made from recycled newspaper and come in H or HB. Even the packaging itself is made from recycled paper. They have erasers on the end that don’t smudge. Look for them in packs of 12 or 144.

Faber-Castell Highlights

I haven’t bought highlighters lately, but when I do these will be the ones. I like that fact that I can refill them rather than toss them out.  Buying disposable pens and highlighters is one of my bad habits, and it is time to make a change. I am looking forward to giving these a try. I also like that fact that they use water-based inks.

Safe White Correction Fluid

I was thrilled to come across this product. My eldest daughter is always asking for correction fluid and up to now I have refused to buy any. I remember the powerfully toxic smell of the correction fluid I used as a kid. Here is the alternative. It is water-based and low odour. Now I can buy her correction fluid and not worry.

Frogfile is giving away a back-to-school package as well. Look for details on their site and enter by September 4, 2009.

There has been some interesting news that I have been following lately.

Firstly, UBC came out with a study which revealed that Hybrid rebates are ineffective. According to this study, the majority of people who purchase hybrids were going to purchase them anyway so the rebate did not act as an incentive, but instead are “subsidizing planned purchases“. The study further claims that the rebates spend an average of $195.00 per tonne of carbon saved. There are other technologies and green jobs which are less expensive and could have the same or greater environmental impact, that the government  could invest in instead. The study went so far as to say, the rebates could be viewed as another form of bailout for the limping auto industry in North America.

Just around the same time this study came out, the Ontario goverment committed $17 million to Mississauga-based Electrovaya, a company that makes lithium-ion  battery packs and is working toward producing components for electric cars for a number of international companies. 240 new jobs will come about for this community as well. This money goes directly to a Canadian company working on new technologies, rather to any car company through consumer rebates. Is this what the UBC study was talking about?

Finally, GM has announced Volt, their new rechargeable electric car with fuel consumption of about 1.0 litre per 100 km of city driving (yet to be proven officially). That makes the Volt four times as efficient as the Toyota Prius, which is currently the most efficient car sold in Canada. That is quite a jump in efficiency.  It will cost $40,000 before the provincial rebate, which in Ontario could be as high as $10,000.

The rate of movement seems to have picked up and no longer are companies secretly crushing electric cars. I haven’t yet seen the new documentary, Revenge of the Electric Car; instead I am watching it in real time.