Back to School Tips for an Eco-Friendly Year

Summer holidays come to a close, your kid’s habit of sleeping in and hanging around with friends at any time of the day needs to come to an end as well. It is time to shop for school clothes and other essential supplies as well. While your kids may not be as excited for their eco-friendly return to school, it is definitely an option that will weigh lighter on the environment and your wallet as well.

Here is some eco-friendly back to school tips you could help your kids follow:

Check What You Already Have

In order to cut down on the shopping list, you could get your kids to reuse some of the products from last year. While it is understandable that kids are excited to start school with their new supplies, not everything needs to be new. You could get them to use last year’s Tupperware or school supplies as an eco-friendly approach.

Shop Smart When Shopping for Supplies

If your kids’ teachers generally send a list of supplies before the New Year, then it is best to wait for the list before you go shopping. This will prevent you from not only purchasing the wrong supplies but also helps you save money. Once you get the list, try looking for sustainable alternatives such as bio-degradable pens and decomposable notebooks.

Introduce a Zero-Waste Lunch Box

Instead of using plastic or paper bags to send lunch for your kids, it is better to use lunch bags that are reusable. Let go of the idea of using plastic sandwich boxes and embrace an eco-friendlier option such as a reusable bamboo lunch box to store a healthy meal. Pack some regular utensils and reusable straws as well.

Look For Alternatives for New Clothing

Visit your nearby local thrift store to update your kid’s wardrobe for the new school year. Clothes are expensive in general, even the ones that just look basic. So, it is better to look for a cheaper alternative. Clothes that look good don’t necessarily have to be new and there are plenty of clothes you could find in the thrift store that looks as good as new. Make sure to donate clothes that your kids have outgrown instead of simply throwing them away.

Customize Their Backpacks

If you think your kid wouldn’t mind sticking to the same backpack for a few years, then go for one that is of good quality and can be guaranteed to be used for a while. If there is a particular character backpack your kid is looking for but may outgrow by the next year, you could purchase a plain option and get some iron-on or sew-on patches of their favorite characters. Once they outgrow them, you can use the same backpack and adorn it with their next loved character.

By embracing these tips and applying them, not only are you saving the environment and your money, but you are also teaching your kids a valuable lesson. After all, not everything has to be learned from school.