9 Eco-Friendly Back-to-School Tips

By making mindful choices regarding school supplies, transportation, and daily routines, parents can make eco-friendly choices while fostering a culture of sustainability within their family and community. Incorporating practices such as repurposing materials and opting for environmentally friendly products, not only builds eco-habits into a new school year but also instills lifelong values of conservation and responsibility in children. Here are nine simple ways to create a more sustainable back-to-school experience:

01. Use What You Already Have

Shopping for new items contributes to unnecessary waste and energy consumption. Utilizing what you already own reduces the demand for new products, which helps preserve natural resources and minimize the environmental impact of production and transportation. Reusing items also promotes creativity and reduces the amount of waste ending up in landfills. Choosing to use what we already have is a simple yet effective way to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.

02. Pack a Trash Free Lunch

You know you’ve packed a trash-free lunch when there is nothing to be disposed of when your child comes home from school. To make this happen, use a stainless steel bento box for lunch and reusable containers like stainless steel tins or silicone bags for snacks. Pack a cloth napkin or handkerchief and stainless steel or bamboo cutlery to avoid single-use items like plastic utensils or paper napkins. And don’t forget to opt for a reusable water bottle instead of disposable ones.

03. Choose Quality Over Quantity

High-quality products are often made to last longer, reducing the frequency of replacements and conserving resources. Investing in well-made items can result in lower overall consumption and waste generation. Additionally, quality products typically offer better performance, which can lead to increased satisfaction and less frequent upgrades.

04. Buy Secondhand

Consider buying secondhand school books, clothes, and uniforms this year. When choosing secondhand, you are making an eco-friendly choice by extending the lifecycle of these items and reducing the demand for new production. This helps in decreasing the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and shipping new goods. Buying secondhand also reduces the amount of waste being sent to landfills, contributing to a more sustainable environment. Additionally, opting for secondhand items can save valuable resources like water and energy that would be used in the production of new clothes and books. By supporting the secondhand market, you are participating in a circular economy that promotes reuse and minimizes environmental impact.

05. Get Green School Supplies

If you need to buy some brand new supplies to round out what you already have at home (or what you can get secondhand), opt for products made from recycled, biodegradable, or sustainably sourced materials to help reduce waste and our carbon footprint. It also sets a positive example for students, teaching them the importance of caring for the planet and making informed decisions as responsible global citizens. Eco-friendly options include recycled paper notebooks (be sure to separate the spiral from the paper before recycling), refillable pens, compostable colored or writing pencils, PFAS-free or organic cotton backpack, a solar-powered calculator, plant-based crayons (instead of traditional petroleum-based ones), and natural rubber erasers. Skip items made from plastic, PVC, or mixed materials that cannot be recycled.

06. Choose “Blank Canvas” Gear

When you choose backpacks and lunchboxes with cartoon characters or year-to-year interests (such as trucks or unicorns) it’s less likely to be used for years because interests change and wane. Instead, opt for gear that can keep up with your child’s ever-changing curiosities. If Pokemon, soccer, or ballet are all the rage this season, opt for a pin or patch on a backpack that can be removed and swapped out instead. The same goes for lunchboxes—a magnet can be easily switched instead of buying an entirely new product.

07. Pack Climate-Friendly Foods

To pack a lunch with climate-friendly foods, focus on incorporating plant-based options, reducing food waste, and choosing sustainably sourced ingredients. Start by including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes in your child’s meal. Choosing more plants and less mean is one of the main ways you can reduce your family’s carbon footprint. Other ways to make a meal more eco-friendly are to opt for locally grown and seasonal produce to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation and minimize packaging by buying in bulk or choosing items with eco-friendly packaging. Plan your meals to prevent excess food from being thrown away. By making these mindful choices, you can pack a lunch that is not only nutritious but also environmentally friendly.

08. Re-Consider Your Commute

Choosing eco-friendly ways to commute to school is essential for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change. By walking, biking, carpooling, or using public transportation instead of driving alone in a car, students can significantly decrease their carbon footprint. This helps conserve energy, reduce air pollution, and promote a healthier environment for all. Additionally, opting for sustainable modes of transportation can enhance physical health, lower stress levels, and foster a sense of community among students.

09. Support Green School Initiatives

Support and promote green initiatives within the school, such as:

Establish Bike Racks: Work with the school to provide secure bike racks for parents or students who choose to bike to school, promoting cycling as a sustainable transportation option.
Green Growth: Build a school garden or plant trees on campus
It’s Not Trash: Implement school composting and recycling programs to reduce waste and raise environmental awareness.
Go Electric: Advocate for an electric school bus fleet. Diesel exhaust pollution is so dangerous, that the World Health Organization has labeled it a known carcinogen—not to mention the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels.

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