Comments on: Beth’s Big Back to School Binder Debate

By: ken james

ken james — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:43:28 +0000

I just wanted to let you know that since your post, Naked Binder has been using FSC certified board for all the binders, folders and tab dividers.

While we do advocate reuse first, if you have vinyl binders, you may find that the useful life of that binder is not that long (even with the standard duct tape fix). To insure our products would last we have had the Naked Binders tested to 250,000 flexes without fail. That is 34 years if you use it 20 times a day. It may cost more upfront than vinyl, but you won’t be replacing this binder for a long long time.

Thanks for all your work on going plastic free!

By: document binders

document binders — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:52:14 +0000

I would go for choice No 1 as it is more environment friendly than other 2 choices,provided we utilize our trees and forest properly and sensibly.The other reason is my nephew tried to chew the re-usable plastic folder he almost choked himself.We called and ambulance and they provided him required treatment ,but that was horrible experience for me..So i would go for No 1 in anyhow.

By: mcmilker

mcmilker — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 15:37:53 +0000

Great debate Beth,

Interesting subject for me because I worked marketing binders and other school supplies for Avery-Dennison for a number of years.

One of the issues that manufacturers face is the fact that binders are a commodity product. The margins are terrible, many times binders are almost a loss leader.

This leaves the traditional (read big) manufacturers in a bit of a quandary. A typical school binder sells for a few bucks. An Eco-binder sells for at least twice as much (often more). And why is there this margin pressure? It comes down to large retailers who also use the binders as loss leaders.

I’m for encouraging both retailers and manufacturers to change marketing strategies to green the entire supply of binders. Wal-Mart could pay a big role in this and they have the vehicle with their sustainability campaign. (I won’t go into details, but there are ways to implement this).

OK- that wasn’t one of your choices - I don’t really need to make a choice because I have many, many old binders from my years working in corporate America and a child who is past the chewing stage :-)

By: compost_and_cats

compost_and_cats — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 05:56:07 +0000

Binders seem to always be readily available at thrift shops and yard sales, and they're very affordable. If you don't like the PVC or the color, couldn't you decoupage the binder? Might be fun to get pictures from old magazines and adhere with non-toxic glue.

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:49:14 +0000

I'd choose Option D- a sustainable school pack from redapplesupply.com. It has a rebinder plus demonstrably sustainable set of supplies including a spiral notebook, filler paper, pen, #2 and color pencils, a highlighter and ruler. All fun, colorful and Earth-friendly

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:49:34 +0000

I would choose option C. It doesn't make sense to me to buy new when I already have the item at home. Also I feel both binder options A and B are ugly.

By: mary Hunt

mary Hunt — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:42:47 +0000

You brought back memories of making our own supply box via an old cigar box with an inch wide hole in one end to stick in your ruler – that's the only way it would fit.

Making your own folders sure raises the bar.

By: Susie

Susie — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:25:50 +0000

Beth,
How about a 4th option…
Sew a cloth cover out of some cool fabric your child loves. Slip it off and throw it it the wash when it gets dirty. You could even use a favorite old clothing item. Add a pocket on the spine for pen/pencils, etc. You can make it a totally custom binder cover.
"Add a dangling chew toy for those who haven't grown up yet"!

By: Cousin Yellowstone

Cousin Yellowstone — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:14:05 +0000

I face a similar dilemma when it comes to pens. I find countless pens while out walking, and am able to avoid buying new pens by using the pens I find buried in the mud and grass. However, this means not giving my economic support to the manufacturers of refillable pens. I intend to continue using other people's discarded pens and binders, but I respect the efforts of people who purchase eco-friendly school/office supplies.

Please don't enter me in your drawing. I rescued many discarded binders from the trash at my previous workplace, and even after giving away several boxes of them on Freecycle, I still have many left.

By: Lynn Blevins

Lynn Blevins — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:15:52 +0000

A is my choice for the long term. The components of this product can continue to have a life even after the product has finished it original job (cardboard can be recycled or composted and metal spine/rings can be used over and over again or recycled as scrap metal if they become damaged). This ability to easily remove the cardboard (considered a biologic nutrient in cradle to cradle design) from the metal component (non-biologic nutrient) is key to keeping binders out of landfills since each piece can be composted and/or recycled separately from the other. If they remain bound, the item can be reused but will likely ultimately end up landfilled. This is definitely the case for C, and likely B.

In the short term, C is an ok choice but not for sensitive populations.

Supporting A sends a message that we'd like a change in the way our goods are produced and disposed.