Plastic-Free Art and Craft Supplies for Childcare Centres: What to Stock and Why

Craft time in an early learning centre produces a surprising amount of waste. Plastic glitter, foam shapes, synthetic pom-poms, plastic-coated paper and PVC craft mats are all single-use, none of them break down, and all of them end up in general waste within a day or two of being used. For a service that is also teaching children about caring for the environment, it is an awkward contradiction.

The good news is that nearly every item in a standard craft cupboard has a plastic-free equivalent that works just as well, costs about the same, and is generally safer for children under five. This guide walks through what to stock, what to phase out, and how to use the switch as part of your sustainability program. Every product mentioned is available from the BuyEcoGreen art and craft range.

Why plastic-free matters more in early learning

Three reasons this is worth doing in a childcare setting specifically:

Children put things in their mouths. Natural, non-toxic materials reduce the risk from small plastic pieces, synthetic dyes and solvent-based adhesives. PVC in particular contains plasticisers that have no place near toddlers.

It is written into the framework. The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) Outcome 2 asks services to support children in becoming socially responsible and showing respect for the environment. Assessors look for evidence in everyday practice, and the materials you choose are the most visible evidence there is.

Families notice. Parents choosing between services increasingly ask about sustainability. A plastic-free craft program is a concrete thing to point to on a tour, not a policy sentence on a website.

What to phase out first

Work through the cupboard with this list. These are the items with the least environmental value and the easiest replacements.

• Plastic glitter – swap for biodegradable glitter, coloured sand, crushed eggshell or dried flower petals.

• Foam shapes and foam sheets – swap for recycled card cut-outs, cork, felt offcuts or natural timber shapes.

• Synthetic pom-poms and pipe cleaners – swap for wool pom-poms, jute cord, raffia or paper straws.

• Plastic ribbon and curling ribbon – swap for jute or burlap ribbon, natural raffia or cotton twine.

• Plastic "cellophane" – swap for real biodegradable cellophane made from cellulose.

• Plastic sticky tape – swap for biodegradable paper or cellulose tape.

• Solvent glue and PVA in plastic bottles – swap for eco glue, or flour paste for the youngest rooms.

• Plastic-coated or laminated paper – swap for recycled card and paper.

• Plastic craft trays and mats – swap for timber trays, bamboo boards or recycled board.

The plastic-free craft cupboard: what to stock

Paper and card

This is the base of almost every activity, so it is where recycled content counts most.

• Recycled coloured paper in A4 and A3 for painting, cutting and collage

• Eco Brown recycled paper in reams of 500 for easel painting and large drawings

• Recycled card for name tags, cards and constructions

• Recycled tissue paper for collage, lanterns and suncatchers

• Recycled backing board for displays and group projects

• Art pads and scrapbooks for individual portfolios

Drawing and colouring

• Eco crayons made from natural waxes, chunky sizes for small hands

• Thick timber coloured pencils, including the Rainbow Pencil that draws several colours at once

• Natural chalk for outdoor play and chalkboards

• Eco markers with recycled bodies for older rooms

Sticking and joining

• Eco glue sticks, solvent-free

• Biodegradable sticky tape on timber or recycled dispensers

• Kraft paper tape for box construction and larger builds

• Recycled scissors, blunt-tip for under-fives

Threading, weaving and tying

These replace the pipe cleaners and plastic ribbon that most centres use without thinking.

• Natural raffia in natural and coloured, for weaving and bows

• Jute and hemp cord for threading beads, hanging mobiles and nature crafts

• Cotton twine for fine motor threading activities

• Jute ribbon for wrapping and gift making

Packaging and presentation

Children's work goes home, and how you send it matters too.

• Recycled paper bags for sending artwork home

• Cotton and jute gift bags for Mother's Day, Father's Day and end-of-year gifts

• Recycled envelopes for cards children make

• Biodegradable cello bags for cookies and small gifts

• Seeded paper for cards families can plant

Process-based and nature materials

Not everything needs to be bought. A plastic-free program leans on open-ended materials, which also happen to be free or nearly free.

• Leaves, seed pods, gumnuts, bark and feathers from the yard

• Offcuts of timber, cork and fabric from families

• Cardboard boxes and tubes

• Dried pasta, rice and lentils for sensory and collage work

• Wool and yarn donations

A paper-making set closes the loop nicely: scrap paper from the week becomes new sheets the children made themselves.

Stocking quantities for a 60-place centre

Rough annual figures for a centre with four rooms, to help size a bulk order.

• Recycled coloured paper (A4): 20 to 30 reams

• Eco Brown paper (A4 and A3): 10 to 15 reams

• Recycled card: 2,000 to 3,000 sheets

• Tissue paper: 500 to 800 sheets

• Crayons: 300 to 400

• Glue sticks: 200 to 300

• Raffia and cord: 10 to 15 hanks or rolls

• Paper bags for artwork: 1,500 to 2,000

Ordering by the carton rather than the pack brings the per-unit cost down noticeably on paper and glue, and the 10% discount on orders over $150 applies on top.

Making it part of your program

Document it. Photograph the craft cupboard before and after the switch. Note it in your Quality Improvement Plan under Quality Area 3 (physical environment) and link it to EYLF Outcome 2. This is exactly the kind of evidence assessors want to see.

Involve the children. Older rooms can sort the old plastic items into "goes in the bin forever" and "goes back to the earth". It is a simple, memorable sustainability lesson.

Tell families. A short note in the newsletter explaining why glitter has disappeared, and inviting donations of wool, fabric and cardboard, turns a policy into a community effort.

Keep the credentials. Our product environmental information page lists recycled content and certifications for each product line, which you can reference directly in your documentation.

FAQ

Is biodegradable cellophane really different from plastic cello? Yes. True cellophane is made from cellulose (plant fibre) and breaks down in compost. Most "cello" sold for craft is actually polypropylene plastic. Check the product description.

Are eco crayons safe if a child bites them? Natural wax crayons are non-toxic and free from paraffin additives. They are still not food, but they are the safest option for toddler rooms.

Does recycled paper work for painting? For easel and finger painting, 110gsm Eco Brown paper holds up better than standard copy paper and is cheaper than cartridge paper. For watercolour, use recycled card.

Can we order on account? Yes. Childcare groups and early learning services can set up account terms. See payment methods or call 1300 663 488.

Do you supply multi-site operators? Yes. Contact us for wholesale pricing across multiple centres.

Build your plastic-free craft order

Browse the eco art and craft range, stock up on the staples by the carton, and use code 10OFF for 10% off orders over $150. For multi-centre quotes, call 1300 663 488 or email info@buyecogreen.com.au.