10 March 2026
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Start the new school year right with more sustainable school bags and supplies for kids, teens and grown-ups.
The end of summer vacation is approaching, which means it’s time to dig out the school supplies. But why not choose a more sustainable start this year? From backpacks made from organic cotton or recycled materials to eco-friendlier notebooks, pencil cases and stationery, small choices make a big difference. In this article, we’ll show you where to shop for fun and more sustainable school supplies so your children can go back to school in style!
School bags and pencil cases for animal lovers made from organic cotton
Is your little one crazy about animals? Then a school bag, pencil case or notebook from the French brand Coq en Pâte is a perfect match. With their colourful designs and patterns, the brand focuses on endangered animals and supports NGOs, scientists and associations active in the field of nature conservation worldwide. Moreover, the bags are made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. A chimpanzee, penguin or dolphin, which animal is your kid’s favourite? They also have a collection of fun notebooks with animal prints.
The school bags, pencil cases and notebooks from Coq and Pâte can be found at Kudzu in Bruges.
Playful school bags, pencil cases, drinking bottles and lunch boxes with colourful animal prints
Do you prefer it a bit more playful? Then we’d like to introduce you to the Belgian brand Trixie. In the collection you’ll find children’s school bags and pencil cases, but also drinking bottles and lunch boxes with playful animal prints that appeal to the imagination. Choose Mr. Lion, Mr. Koala, Mr. Dino or the many other vibrant school supplies. The backpacks and pencil cases are made of sturdy, organic cotton and each model is available in 10+ colors and animal species. Choose your favourite at Kudzu in Bruges, K‑Deetje in Oostkamp and MOMO Kids in Kortrijk.
Timeless and basic school bags from hemp
Looking for a school bag that is more basic and made entirely of natural materials? Then have a look at the English brand Sativa. In the collection you’ll find sturdy, timeless backpacks in neutral colours such as navy, khaki and beige. A composition of hemp and organic cotton ensures that the backpacks are free from pesticides. View the Sativa collection at Kudzu in Bruges.
Fashionable and colourful school bags
Keep the summer vibes alive with a backpack from the Dutch brand Sticky Lemon. These quirky and fashionable bags have a retro vibe and may bring back fond memories from your own youth. Go for a classic college bag with a modern and colourful motif or a practical, yet fashionable backpack with colour blocking. The backpacks are made from recycled PET bottles.
Discover the backpacks at K‑Deetje in Oostkamp and MOMO Kids in Kortrijk.
Cheerful school bags made from PET bottles
At the cool Dutch brand Studio Ditte, the backpacks are also made from recycled PET bottles. Cheerful and graphic prints of animals, racing cars and fruit and stylish colour combinations adorn the practically designed bags. Ideal for young children!
Discover the collection of more sustainable children’s school bags from Studio Ditte at K‑Deetje in Oostkamp.
Colorful school bags and pencil cases made from PET bottles
Another cool brand that makes colourful children’s school bags and pencil cases from recycled PET bottles. The backpacks by Hello Hossy have a cheerful, yet practical design. They have adjustable straps, several pockets and a water-repellent fabric. Convenient for school, but also for excursions and play dates. The collection also includes handy lunch bags and (thermal) drinking bottles. You can shop Hello Hossy at K‑Deetje in Oostkamp.
High-quality school bags and pencil cases made from PET bottles
Going to school with an eye-catcher on your back? Then take a look at the collection of the brand Engel, because these bags made from recycled PET bottles are stylish, practical and high-quality. Choose a striped version or a model with different colour blocks. Also nice: they make colourful pencil cases that match the bags! Discover Engel’s collection at Kudzu in Bruges.
Playful school bags and pencil cases in soft colors
Do you and your little one love softer colours? The Dutch brand Fresk makes playful and cheerful backpacks and pencil cases for children in soft shades such as pastel pink, light grey, mint green or light blue. The prints are sweet as well: with these cute patterns your child will certainly steal the show! And with this brand you also make a more sustainable choice since they work with recycled PET bottles as their base material. You can find the collection by Fresk at Zonnehoed in Zwalm and Kudzu in Brugge.
Minimalistic school bags and accessories with Scandinavian design
Do you love Scandinavian design? Then Liewood products are perfect for you and your little one. The collection consists of minimalist and trendy school supplies (as well as clothing and toys!) such as backpacks, pencil cases, lunch boxes, (thermal) water bottles, snack boxes, notebooks and sketchbooks. This brand is a more conscious choice because the products are primarily made from recycled and high-quality materials. The bags and pencil cases are made from recycled polyester, the lunch boxes from silicone or stainless steel, as are the water bottles. For the notebooks and sketchbooks, they use 100% FSC-certified paper.
You can shop the school supplies by Liewood at K‑Deetje in Oostkamp and MOMO Kids in Kortrijk.
Choosing a new school bag made from a more sustainable material and produced under better working conditions is a good choice. But could it be a step more sustainable for you? Then choose a second-hand backpack. You can find them at trendy second-hand children’s stores in many Dutch and Belgian cities.
For example, spend a day shopping in Amsterdam and discover pre-loved children’s fashion at stores like Old West, Otis en de Wolf, LOVED by Ziggy & Lucy and Quinnie’s. Of course, there are also nice second-hand children’s shops where you can look for pre-loved school bags in Rotterdam, like BUUF. In Tilburg you can try Van Tilly.
Do you live in Belgium? Then we highly recommend the secondhand kids’ store Terra Cotta in Ghent. You can also look for secondhand school supplies at Oxfam in Bruges, Kringwinkel ViTeS in Leuven and the Kringwinkel ‘t rad stores Sint-Jakobs and Zilverpand in Bruges, Seafront in Zeebrugge.
Minimalistic and more sustainable bags, pencil cases, stationery and office supplies
MADE Out Of’s stationery, school supplies, and office supplies are not only beautiful, they’re also made locally in the Netherlands using more sustainable materials. The brand has its own production factory where craftsmanship is paramount and they work in a socially and environmentally friendlier way. The designs are minimalist, stylish, and timeless, meaning you’ll enjoy them for years to come. Whether you’re going to school or the office, MADE Out Of has the perfect items for you! You can shop at the webshop van MADE Out Of or at MOOSE In The City in Antwerp.
Write and support children in developing countries
With a Correctbook in your bag, you’ll never have loose pages or wasted paper again. These smart, reusable notebooks can be filled endlessly and erased – just like a whiteboard in book form. Perfect for brainstorming, to-do lists or taking class notes.
For every notebook sold, the brand ensures that children in developing countries have access to (erasable) writing materials. This way, your notes also contribute to better education worldwide.
Correctbook is available at MOOSE In The City in Antwerpen.
Circular stationery
Looking for a stylish and more sustainable notebook, weekly planner or diary? At Redopapers, you’ll find unique stationery made from recycled paper that would otherwise be wasted. Good for the planet and for your desk! Behind the brand are Tille and Linde, two graphic designers with a passion for minimalistic design. Their creations combine simplicity, character and a strong sustainability mission. Reduce your waste and choose a Redopapers for your desk! You can find Redopapers at Supergoods in Antwerp and Mechelen, INSLAG in Ghent, MOOSE In The City in Antwerp, REST in Mortsel, Kudzu in Bruges and Fonetik in Aalst.
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