Back to School - The Green Way

It’s that time of year again!  According to some parents (and commercials) “it’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Back to school! Each year parents receive a list of things that should be in their kids backpacks for the upcoming year.  Pencils, rulers, notebooks, etc. etc.  And every year we want to start the new year off fresh so we buy all new items, even though we already had them from past years.

Not very “green” if you think about it!

Here are a few tips to “green” the new school year! Even doing a couple of these things can make a big difference and they are all so easy!  (They might even save you some money!)

• Use last year’s school supplies.
• Buy used books not new. 
• Buy a canvas and cardboard binders instead of plastic.
• Buy recycled paper.
• Use reusable water bottles instead of plastic.
• Use a lunch box, not paper bags.
• Donate last year’s clothes instead of throwing them away.
• Buy online to avoid driving.
• Turn your computer off when you’re not using it.
• Make your own bookmarks and book covers.
• Carpool to sports games.
• Use refillable pens and pencils.
• Refill printer ink cartridges.
• Reuse your backpack. Decorate it with cool patches.

Really want to get your kids the new supplies?  Consider donating the old supplies to a local food pantry.  There are a lot of kids out there who cannot afford to get even the basic supplies they need.  If you insist on buying new, pay it forward and donate last years items to someone who can really use them.

As always, the idea is reduce-reuse-recycle!

Reduce the amount of new items you get the kids this year.  Do they really need a brand new set of colored markers when last years are still perfectly fine?

Reuse past year items.  How many book bags do you really need after all?

Recycle what you are not using.  Either properly recycle items that can no longer be used or donate them to someone in need.

The future of the world belongs in the hands of these children.  Let’s help them protect their future investment!