Things We Like for Back to School

Zero-Waste School Supplies
Heather Itzla was appalled at the amount of school supplies she would buy her kids, only to have them tossed in the trash at the end of the year. “We’re training kids in kindergarten through college to consume disposables without a second thought, and the consequences are here forever,” she says. That’s why she and Nikki Kozlowski founded San Anselmo-based Wisdom Supply Co., which makes reusable, repairable and fully recyclable supplies from notebooks to binders. Zero-waste school supply kit: $29.95. wisdomsupplyco.com.
Sustainable Style
Oakland-based Mightly – founded by a mom trio Tierra Forte, Barrie Brouse and Anya Marie – makes its fun and comfy clothes from organic cotton and nontoxic dyes in a fair trade-certified factory. It bolsters those big-picture credentials with attention to details: artwork by emerging artists, flat seams and itch-free labels for sensitive kids, quality fabrics, durable construction and hidden reinforced knees to make their pants hand-me-down worthy – with prices that won’t break the bank. They also offer undies, PJs and face masks.  mightly.com.
Earth-Friendly Lunch Kits
Make packing lunch and snacks easy with the GrowBento set from San Francisco’s Miniware. Each set includes a stainless steel container with two leak-proof “silipods” made of food-grade silicone. Husband-and-wife design team Adam and Ai Su Bonner started the company when they couldn’t find stylish, eco-friendly tableware that could be adapted as their child grew. Miniware also makes 100% plant-based tableware for little ones. $38-42. miniware.com.
Express Yourself
Inspired by her boy-girl twins mixing and matching their wardrobes, San Francisco designer Elizabeth Brunner launched StereoType last year to bring “blended fashion” to the masses. Graphic tees, blazers, active pants and a superhero cape/skirt make up a collection that Brunner aims to go beyond unisex styling to create outfits that are creative, comfortable, fun and encourage self-expression. stereotypekids.com.