Tips for A Sustainable Back-to-School Season

When I was a kid, I loved back-to-school season. The fresh scent of a crisp new exercise book. The joy of perfectly sharpened pencils. And, if I was lucky, a brand new backpack or pencil case.

I still love all these things, but I am more mindful these days of the incredible waste associated with this time of year. And, as a parent, I’m also mindful of the way we teach kids to want new things every September, even when last year’s stuff is still fully functional.

Back-to-school season needn’t be unsustainable.

And what’s cooler than a backpack made out of recycled plastic rescued from the ocean?!

Here are some quick tips for a low-stress start to the school year, for a lower impact on your budget and the planet.

1. Reuse and revamp what you have already

• Backpacks, pencil cases, water bottles, and many other school supplies can be cleaned up and redecorated to reflect your child’s changing tastes. 
• Use reusable decals, stickers, patches, and fabric paints to customize as desired.

2. Prioritize planet-friendly new supplies

If you need new school supplies, there are some easy ways to lessen your environmental impact:

• Choose backpacks and pencil cases made with natural materials or recycled materials
  • (I highly recommend Terra Thread, Frugi, and GOT Bag, as well as Tentree)
• Go for simple, durable designs that are easier to customize and won’t fall out of fashion so fast
• Favor brands that have a takeback program and a circular approach to manufacturing
• Look for fun art supplies and stationery that help teach your kids about conservation – such as plantable pencils!

3. Choose greener technology

If your kid (or you!) needs a new laptop or tablet, make greener choices by:

• Choosing products made with recycled materials (and that are easier to recycle)
• Looking for laptops and tablets with energy saving features
• Prioritizing tech that is easy to fix, for a longer life
• Asking around for hand me downs and search local marketplaces instead of buying new.
• Using screen protectors and cases to minimize damage and extend the life of phones, laptops, and tablets

And when your tech reaches end of life and isn’t fixable, get together with friends and fellow parents to fill a TerraCycle e-Waste Box.

4. Choose reusable food packaging

Whether you love putting together a school lunch or find the whole endeavor intolerable, you can make things more eco-friendly with the following approach:

• Choose stainless steel bento style boxes – fun for kids (and adults), non-toxic, and more durable
• Use a reusable, stainless steel water bottles – these are more durable and healthier than plastic ones
• Investing in a stainless steel thermos – great for cool smoothies and hot soup!
• Choosing reusable silicone bags and waxed food wraps instead of plastic baggies or aluminum wrap.

5. Get thrifty

Local thrift stores are a treasure trove of school supplies, such as:

• Binders
  • Stationery
  • Art supplies
  • Pencil cases
  • Backpacks
  • Shoes and boots
  • Clothing.

Check online thrift stores for things you can’t track down locally.

6. Get an e-bike!

If you’re sick of being stuck in school traffic and want to encourage your kids to be active, it might be time for an e-bike. It’s exceptionally hilly where I live, which makes biking with a kid and all their school gear a bit of a slog. Unsurprisingly, parents and kids on e-bikes are a familiar sight. As are electric vehicles!

Of course, if you’re so inclined, you could also attach a trailer or kid seat to a regular bike and combine your morning workout with the school run!

Active school transport helps to:

• Reduce carbon emissions (especially if the school run usually means being in bumper to bumper traffic)
• Improve air quality
• Promote healthier families
• Save you money in the long-run!

7. Host a swap

Finally, how about hosting a school supplies swap? After all, you’re not alone in the frenzy of back-to-school season. Many other families are looking for more sustainable, budget-friendly ways to kit out their kids for success.

Set up a time and place to have everyone bring their old but usable:

• Stationery
• Sports gear
• Uniforms
• Textbooks
• Clothes.

Then get swapping and saving!