The first day of school is just around the corner! As we gear up for the new school year, it’s important to keep in mind the significance of maintaining an eco-friendly lifestyle. Not only is it critical for the well-being of the planet and future generations, but it also extends these principles to another crucial aspect of our lives: the return to school. Today, I’ve put together a few tips on how to combine the school’s three R’s of reading, writing and ‘rithmetic with the planet’s three R’s of reduce, reuse, and recycle!
1. Opt for second-hand clothes for the kids
Growing children quickly outgrow their clothes, and purchasing new ones from retail stores can be an expensive and wasteful option. Not only does fast fashion contribute to sweatshop labour, but it also adds to environmental degradation from GMO crops, synthetic fabrics, and toxic dyes. As you might already know by now, the clothing industry is the second largest polluter worldwide, just behind oil.
Luckily, there are alternative ways to get new school clothes without breaking the bank or the planet. Consider organising a clothing exchange event with family, friends, or neighbours, or check out flea markets, local charity shops, and thrift stores. If you’re short on time, shopping at online marketplaces such as The Octopus Club or Sweet Peat Preloved Clothes is also a viable option. You can find high-quality “new-to-you” clothes for the kids, without the hassle of leaving your home. These options embody the eco-friendly principle of “reuse” while also saving you money!
2. Buy used textbooks
Purchasing textbooks can be expensive, but going for used ones can save you money and save the trees too. School bookstores commonly offer second-hand editions for half the price or more. Additionally, online marketplaces such as AbeBooks and AliBris have a vast selection of used titles for students to choose from. Opting to rent or buy used textbooks is an increasingly popular option that can reduce the number of books being produced, saving millions of trees.
According to the Environmental Paper Network, a 10% reduction in paper usage each year in the United States would generate enough energy to power 228,000 homes, save 11 billion gallons of water, and prevent carbon emissions equivalent to the removal of 279,000 cars from the road!
3. Pack your kids’ lunch
Did you know that the average elementary school generates 20,000 pounds of lunch waste every year? Imagine the impact if we all made a small change. By packing your kids’ lunch in a reusable container with a refillable bottle, you can help reduce your child’s paper bag, food packaging, and food waste output while simultaneously improving their health.
Preparing a lunch doesn’t need to be stressful either. Try to involve your child in selecting ingredients they enjoy, so they’re less likely to waste food and you can always check out this BBC Good Food page for quick, healthy lunch ideas.
Be wary of the reusable choices you make though, as most hard plastic lunch boxes and water bottles contain harmful BPA, PVC, or phthalates that can lead to health issues. A safer and more sustainable alternative is the Planet Box stainless steel lunch box and water bottle. Made of high-quality steel, this lunch box is easy to clean, durable, and won’t leach toxic plastic chemicals into your child’s food.
On another note, I’d also urge you to not feel like you have to get new reusable packaging every year. If the one you have used for the past two years is still in good condition, there’s no need for more right?!
