Can you believe it is already back-to-school time? As the school supply lists start flowing in, here are tips to start your eco-friendly school year.
- “Secondhand is in!” Before you go out shopping for all new school clothes, consider shopping at your local secondhand stores or even swapping clothes with a friend. Every item you buy secondhand decreases the need for one item of clothing to be made, thus saving energy. Shopping secondhand also helps decrease the chance of clothing ending up in the landfill.
- Take a refillable water bottle to school instead of packing plastic bottles.
- Pack your own lunch. Packing your own lunch gives you more control over what you eat. Use a re-useable lunch box. Bee’s Wrap is a great alternative to plastic wrap.
- Take a cloth napkin and reusable utensils with your lunch.
- Purchase soybean-based crayons. Need to recycle old crayons? The National Crayon Recycle Program can tell you how!
- Purchase cardboard or canvas binders instead of plastic ones.
- When purchasing notebooks or paper, look for the recycled option.
- Choose recycled or biodegradable pencils, highlighters and scissors.
- Choose eco-friendly lip balm.
- Swap out the plastic ruler for a wooden or metal one.
- Choose paper clips instead of using a stapler. Paper clips are reusable for a long time.
- Purchase used books instead of new ones.
- Resist the urge to buy school supplies in bulk. Instead, find last year’s unused school supplies and look for items that can be reused.
- Cut down on your carbon footprint by carpooling, walking, or biking (if possible) to school.
- Don’t forget to have fun in nature! Encourage your kids to get outside for an hour or two after school each day and on weekends.
The Nature Center now offers eco-conscious items in the Creekside Shop. Through October we’re open 9 AM-4 PM Mondays-Thursdays, 9 AM-6 PM Fridays and Saturdays, and noon-6 PM on Sundays. We have you covered for back-to-school goodies!