This section identifies regional and national suppliers of non-toxic and least-toxic materials for art education. Green products tend to generate less waste and over time, they help reduce expenses.

Continued and expanding interest in, and awareness of, non-toxic and least-toxic art materials and supplies has initiated a commercial response from manufacturers and suppliers. Many major suppliers have begun offering non-toxic art supplies. They have begun to identify risks and improved product labeling so as to conform to the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) certifications.

This section will identify sources for non-toxic and least-toxic substitutes for traditional educational supplies. In addition to traditional sources for art and craft supplies, a number of innovative reuse and recycle enterprises have become available. Examples include the following:

• Recycled crayons
• Teacher supply warehouses that specialize in redistributing manufactured surplus materials for classrooms
• Exchange centers for art educators

Purchasing decisions should not be based upon economic decisions alone, nor should purchases be based upon traditionally requested materials. Health and safety issues, as well as long-term economic issues, should motivate environmental considerations.

Pollution Prevention
As a general rule, the following principles should be applied:

• Avoid purchasing hazardous materials from the start of the process, thus eliminating the need to manage hazardous waste.
• Avoid excess supplies.
• Practice source reduction and waste reduction when making purchasing decisions.
• Compare cost of the purchase price to the product?s quality and life expectancy, as well as to the cost of proper disposal of waste generated from the product.
• Give preference to slightly more expensive items if the quality will allow for much longer use or less replacement.

Following these strategies can save educational facilities money on supplies, which shifts funding from supplies back to education.