Tips for buying greener school supplies

Here are some tips on greener shopping for school supplies from the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit advocacy organization.

Art supplies: Many contain toxic chemicals not suitable for children. Paints should be water-based to avoid solvents and colored with natural, nonmetal pigments. Avoid polymer clays that stay soft at room temperature or can be hardened in a home oven -- they're made from polyvinyl chloride and often contain phthalates...