Being greener this school year is a wonderful goal! Adopting eco-friendly practices can help reduce your environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Here are some tips to help you and your family be greener as you head back to school.
Reuse
Reuse items like notebooks, folders, and backpacks from the previous year. Too often our society normalizes things like getting a new backpack every year, but it makes sense to reuse anything that is still usable.
Pack Eco-Friendly Lunches
Use reusable containers, lunch bags, and reusable snack baggies instead of plastic wraps and single-use bags. Opt for a stainless steel or glass water bottle instead of disposable bottles. Pack fresh fruits and vegetables, avoiding individually wrapped snacks.
Use Sustainable School Supplies
Look for eco-friendly school supplies made from recycled materials or those that are easily recyclable. Avoid items with excessive plastic packaging. You can also shop in bulk, such as boxes of bulk pencils on Amazon, since it can be expected that you will be going through many pencils especially at the elementary school level.
Walk, Bike, or Carpool
Whenever possible, choose sustainable transportation options like walking, biking, or carpooling to reduce carbon emissions and promote a healthier lifestyle. Have your kids take the bus when this is an option, versus driving.
Conserve Energy
Turn off lights and electronic devices when not in use. Encourage your school to use energy-efficient lighting and appliances.
Save Water
Be mindful of water usage. Report leaky faucets or toilets at school and try to conserve water at home as well. There are lots of devices that can help with this, like a watersaver showerhead.
Engage in Environmental Activities
Participate in environmental clubs, events, or initiatives in your school and community. Get involved in activities like tree planting, beach clean-ups, or community recycling drives.
Support Sustainable Brands
When buying new items, choose products from companies that prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Reduce Paper Usage
Whenever possible, opt for digital copies of textbooks, handouts, and assignments. Use both sides of paper when printing and encourage your school to adopt paperless initiatives.
Choose Eco-Friendly, Chemical-Free Products
Look for eco-friendly, natural products in your everyday life, from natural laundry detergent to natural hand soap. These all lessen our impact on the earth.
Remember, being greener is a continuous effort, and small actions can make a big difference when done collectively. By adopting these eco-friendly practices, you can contribute to a more sustainable school year and inspire others to do the same.
We have purchased a lot of eco friendly school supplies this year! They’re a little more pricey, but it’s okay!
Yes to eco friendly. I am all for reusing items like water bottles.
I’m excited to share this with my kids, so my grandkids can start using these tips.
These are great product recommendations, it’s always nice when there are eco-friendly options available no matter the occasion!
I would say a reusable water bottle is a must have for kids during the school year. It can be used year after year and day after day. I always have a water bottle with me and my kids also have their own water bottles.
I started cutting my car use years ago. I now walk my son home from school on most days. It’s on rare occasions that we will use the car.
i love this. i love finding new prodcuts that are better for us
I just bought some reusable snack bags to cut down on waste in our kids lunches. I try to be eco-friendly as much as possible!
You’ve got some great product recommendations here! Thank you so much for sharing this with us I’m gonna try to be more eco friendly
You have great tips here.. we are definitely using more etextbooks (Even more so with my son in college now) and lesser notebooks/paper with lots of notetaking done digitally..
It’s inspiring to see how educational institutions can take steps to become more environmentally conscious.
These tips are not only really practical for us but also essential in reducing our environmental impact and fostering a more sustainable future for our planet. Such a great way to start the school year
I like the idea of going eco-friendly this school year. As a matter of fact, we should all adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle all year round.
Great ideas! We do our best to be eco-friendly, not only in school but in our everyday life.
I love eco-friendly products; they help the environment. I really didn’t know they had eco-friendly school supplies. thanks for sharing.
Fantastic tips! The Eco-Friendly School Year guide provides practical and easy-to-implement ideas to promote sustainability in educational settings. From reducing waste to embracing green transportation, it’s a valuable resource for creating a greener future. Thanks for the eco-conscious advice!
I always send my son with a reusable water bottle so he has something cold drink sip on all day. I need to get him a new one before school starts.
Great tips, implementing one or more will surely help a lot! I’m not sure sure how the school system where you are works, but here children are sent to school that are nearer where they live, so kids can walk or bike. I hope this is the same for most cities…