5 Easy Ways to Go Green at School

Now that the back-to-school jitters are out of the way, try these easy tips to make your educational experience more environmentally smart.

1. Enlighten your lunch. Because it is often hard to find good, healthy meals around schools and universities, it is important to fuel the brain by bringing lunch to school. Try packing lunches that are locally grown and low in sugar so that the brain and body can function successfully. Steer clear of packaged meats, and try to implement almonds and fruits for a brain boost. Also, be sure to pack your lunch in a reusable container, and pack nutritious juices and water in reusable metal bottles. If you or your child is lucky enough to have access to a good, healthy lunch at school, take advantage of it! 
2. Travel together. What is your preferred method of travel to and from school? If your children are old enough and the route is safe, encourage them to use their own energy to get to and from school. If they can't walk or bike, then try to set up a carpool system at your next parent-teacher meeting to save fuel and save time. Talk with parents around your neighborhood, and pack in as many kids as there are seatbelts. If all else fails, taking the bus is the next best option.
3. Dress smart. Why not try outfitting your kids and yourself with gently used items? Your kids will only outgrow the clothes during their next growth spurt, and you may get tired of your own new duds. The local secondhand store is a perfect place to find new clothing, and you'll save money. Teenagers, young adults and even middle-aged folks such as myself enjoy browsing thrift stores for vintage outfits. If secondhand stores won’t work for you, start a clothing swap in your neighborhood or through a parent-teacher organization. Clothing swap parties are a great reason to get friends together and sort through their old threads.
4. Supply sustainably. Check what you have before you buy new backpacks, notebooks or pens and pencils. Try sprucing up old bookbags with patches or colorful threading. Old folders and notebooks can get a fresh look by pasting pictures and other artwork on them. When you do need to buy new supplies, look for items made of recycled materials and sold with minimal to no packaging.
5. Create a friendlier campus. Try to initiate a greener school movement. Volunteer to start an organic garden on campus, implement a recycling program or talk with the school about doing an energy audit. For information on recycling at school, contact Keep Pinellas Beautiful at stoplitter@aol.com or 727-533-0402.

To all of you future environmental leaders, have a happy and healthy school year!