The Green Parent

It’s August 1^st! Which means it’s not only the kickoff of World Breastfeeding Week, it’s also the official time to start getting the kids ready for school. I got so much info about the latest tips, tricks, and gadgets to make your back-to-school a little greener that I couldn’t possible fit it in to one post. So stay tuned for future posts about green computing, waste-free lunches, eco-savvy school gadgets, and even greener homework; as well as great green tips for college students. (Don’t forget, if you need the info RIGHT NOW, you can always pick up a copy of The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Earth-Friendly Living.)

Here’s how to make your back-to-school shopping a little greener:

Put your wallet away. Save money on school supplies by not buying them! Before you head to the store to buy new pencils, notepads, and binders for a new year of school, check to see what’s hiding in your closet from last year. A binder filled with recycled paper can be customized year after year to suit your child’s interests (just redecorate the cover with stickers, fabric, or markers.) And you probably already have enough pens and pencils lying around the house to fill up a pencil case.

Aim For A Waste-Free Lunch. One of the single best ways you can “go green” and reduce waste is to make your child’s lunch waste-free by using reusable containers to hold her meal. Skip juice boxes and let her pick out a cool thermos or reusable bottle to bring instead. Pack it all in a reusable tote or lunchbox. (Try the cotton lunch sack, ECOUsable water bottle, and bamboo utensils from ECOBAGS, the bento boxes from Laptop Lunches, or the super cute animal shaped lunch boxes from Gigglefish. Enter now to enter our August contest for a free Waste-Free Lunch Kit from ECOBAGS.

Borrow or Rent Sports Equipment and Instruments. If your child has a passion for the piccolo or a flair for football, it makes sense to invest in the equipment they need to play. But if they will be trying a new instrument or sport this year, consider borrowing or renting their gear until you can gauge whether or not they will stick with it. It will save you money and keep your closet from becoming a hobby graveyard!

Buy Green. When you do need to purchase new stuff, look for eco-savvy supplies that contain recycled non-toxic, or organic materials. Here’s a guide:

Backpacks: If possible, update and reuse last year’s backpack by adding or removing fabric patches or designs. If you do need a new one, consider an earth-friendly brand that uses recycled materials such as those from Ecotech, Osprey, or EarthPak.

Paper: Recycled paper is good, 100% post-consumer recycled paper is better, and 100% post-consumer recycled paper that is processed chlorine free (PCF) is the gold standard. Look for brands such as Dolphin Blue, Greenline Paper, and New Leaf Everest, or browse Treecycle’s extensive selection of recycled papers.

Pens, Pencils, and Art Supplies: Minimize waste by purchasing reusable writing supplies whenever possible. Of course, that can be tricky, especially when it comes to little kids that are unlikely to hold on to the same pen from one day to the next. So if you purchase disposables, look for greener options like Pilot’s BeGreen pens and pencils made from recycled materials or check out Green Earth Office Supply or Greenline Paper for a selection of eco-friendly writing supplies such biodegradable cornstarch pens, recycled lunch tray pencils, or soybean crayons. And check out my previous on greening your child’s art supplies.

Notebooks and Binders: Mead’s recycled notebooks and day planners can be found at major retailers. For recycled binders, check out the selections from Sustainable Group and Green Earth Office Supply and Greenline Paper.

Similar Posts:

• Make A Waste-Free Lunch
• Waste-Free Wednesday: Making Sense of Lunch
• Eco-Friendly School Fundraisers
• A Rainbow of Green Art Supplies
• The Green Parenting Guide to Recycling

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