There are so many things that go into a school year, from back-to-school shopping to getting to sports practices. This means that there are plenty of opportunities to make your everyday routine a little greener. It does not mean making drastic changes either; you can simply make some small changes such as substituting one products with another. Here are some ideas to get you started.
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Reuse / shop used
Look to reuse items when you can, such as a backpack, unused notebooks, lunch boxes, and so on.
You can also buy used items from consignment shops. You will often find like new or brand new items at these stores.
Reusable containers
Reusable containers are a great way to go for food and drinks. Find reusable lunch containers to reduce your use of plastics and other single-use items. Try to go with containers that are stainless or glass food storage if possible. If you need plastic containers (especially for younger children), look for the best BPA free containers.
Use a reusable water bottle, travel coffee mug, and stainless straws.
Reduce paper use
Reduce the amount of paper you use by going paperless when possible. You can use a phone or computer for note taking and other essentials. You can even use apps to complete tasks such as shopping lists. If you need to print things, reduce the size of your printing and use both sides of the pages, or print multiple pages on one sheet.
Recycled products – and recycle!
Look for recycled products when you shop, especially for paper items such as notebooks or calendars.
At home, recycle what you can, from paper to glass to plastic!
We love Decomposition notebooks – so many cute designs!
Eco-friendly cleaning & body products
A busy school year usually means lots of cleaning, with kids running around, dirty school clothes, play dates, sports practices, and more. Choose cleaning supplies that are natural and non-toxic. Look for laundry detergents that are free of dyes, chemicals, and synthetic fragrances.
Another thing to think about is looking for healthy products for bath and body, from soaps to toothpastes.
Travel smart
Try to reduce your carbon footprint by carpooling, walking, biking, etc. when possible.
Reduce the number of trips to different locations. For example, use lists and meal planning to reduce your trips to the grocery store. Also consider ordering products online – it will make your life easier to have things delivered, and will reduce your carbon footprint.
Shop local
Shopping local is a great way to support your local businesses and cut down on your carbon footprint. Look for locally sourced goods, such as foods and other products.
We do try to use a lot of these. We have a reusable container. It just gets lost sometimes :/
Yes to reusable lunch boxes. Those soap gifts are so cute.
Loving all these great ideas. We always do reusable lunch boxes for the kids.
Love the focus on eco-friendly school supplies! Great tips for a greener and more sustainable school year.
I’m hoping my teen will take packed lunches this year. I hate that he eats junk at school because he can. He’s getting more health conscious, so we’ll see. If he does, we’ll use a Bento. 🙂
Great post and we do our best to use ecofriendly products for school especially the reusable lunch bags.
I love all of these. I do reuse lunch boxes when my kids are in school. I will also keep these tips in mind, Since I will be returning to school in a few weeks
While I do not have a school kid anymore, these tips are still useful around the home. We try to be eco-friendly as much as we can!
I always look for products made with recycled materials, and the more used the better. These are all excellent tips!
These are great ways to be eco conscious. Start with children so they learn it early.
Ha ha! I’m doing just that this year for my grandson. He’s riding his backpack from last year, and I picked up used plastic folders and note book’s for .25 each at a garage sale. He’s reusing barely used tape and glue sticks. And last years scissors. Thanks for a great post!
Aaahhh yes, I am so in for recycling as much as we can. There’s surely no point in buying so much paper or plastic to use, for one day and it all ends up in the trash at the ghetto!
I find reusable bottles and food containers an easy and handy option to help me be eco friendly. We have a few different options that the kids use between them.
Oh, these are excellent tips. I’m definitely going to put every single one to good use. Thanks so much!
Now, all my family uses reusable containers and it’s a great thing to have. These are great ideas to be more eco-friendly. I will share this with my family, thank you for sharing.
Great tips for a eco-friendly school year! Reusing and shopping used items, opting for reusable containers, and reducing paper use are all simple yet effective steps. Love the idea of eco-friendly cleaning products and shopping local. Small changes can make a big difference! 🌱
This is brilliant! Anything that promotes eco friendly is a winner with me for sure. Reusable lunch boxes are a good one. Mel W x
Thanks for the reminder! We always endeavour to recycle as much as possible!!
While I don’t have kids, I like the suggestions you shared on how to have an eco-friendly school year for your kids. I do use reusable lunch boxes and water bottles on my travels.