Back to School: How We Reduce Our Kids’ Toxin Load Every Day

Back to School: How We Reduce Our Kids’ Toxin Load Every Day

As a mom who’s mindful of reducing toxins where I can, I’ve learned that a few simple swaps can make a big difference—especially during the school day.

Here’s how we lighten the toxic load—without making things complicated or overwhelming.

BELOW ARE SOME OF THE ESSENTIALS AND HERE IS A MORE COMPLETE LIST

LUNCHBOX

What your child’s food touches is just as important as what’s in it. Instead of plastic containers or questionable lunchboxes, we pack lunch in a PlanetBox Rover or Shuttle. Made from stainless steel, they’re free of hormone-disrupting chemicals, super durable, and even kind of fun for kids to open.

WATER BOTTLE

For water, we rotate between Klean Kanteen and bkr bottles, both of which are free from microplastic-leaching materials.

LUNCH BAG

Toss it all into a Fluf lunch bag, which fits even the larger Rover lunchbox, snack box AND water bottle with ease. These bags are organic, machine-washable, and lined with a food-safe, water-resistant material.

Pro tip: Practice at home before the first day. Let your child open and close their containers, unwrap snacks, and repack on their own. You’ll reduce stress for both of you when school starts.

NAP TIME

If your preschool or kindergarten child still naps at school, their nap mat or bedding may be another overlooked source of daily exposure. We love Pure Earth nap bedding, which uses certified organic cotton and skips the synthetic foams and chemical-laden flame retardants that are still allowed in many mass-produced mats.

BACKPACK

For Backpacks we use Terra Thread backpacks—made from heavy-duty organic cotton and dyed with low-impact dyes. They’re ethically made and designed to last, which is better for our kids and the planet.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Inside, we keep supplies like crayons, markers, and erasers as clean as possible—opting for beeswax crayons, PVC-free erasers, and non-toxic glue whenever we can. It’s a small step, but with repeated use, it adds up. Check out my AMAZON shop for some of my favorites.

Why It Matters

We can’t bubble-wrap our kids, and we don’t have to live in fear. But we can make thoughtful swaps that reduce everyday exposure to things like BPA, phthalates, PFAS, and synthetic fragrances—without sacrificing function or fun.

These little choices help support their immune systems, hormones, and overall development. Plus, they’re better for the earth, and often more cost-effective in the long run.