9 Ways to Make Back To School Season Sustainable (and Save Money!)
9 Ways to Make Back To School Season Sustainable (and Save Money!)
It feels like summer has flown by and it's almost time to get back to school! Usually, that means required school supply lists, brand new clothes, shoes, backpacks, lunchboxes...the list goes on!
This year, make back to school season a little more sustainable for the planet and for your wallet!
Back To School, Sustainable Style!
1. Instead of buying an all-new wardrobe (especially for growing kids!), host or attend a clothing swap with families in your neighborhood. If getting people together is too challenging, try:
- Creating a 'traveling clothes bag' in a community or Buy Nothing group. One person puts together some clothes to pass on, the next person takes what they want, adds some more pieces, and passes it on.
- Create a temporary clothing closet in a central location for people to add and take things as needed.
- Visit the thrift store.
2. Thrift, trade, or swap school supplies, like lunch boxes, backpacks, and calculators (have you seen the prices of those TI-graphing-calculators?!). Wash backpacks inside out on the gentle cycle and let them line dry- basically good as new!
3. For college students, try to buy secondhand books when possible. Half.com, eBay, and the school bookstore have books far less than brand new retail prices. You can also ask around and see if anyone has books to swap or lend!
4. Try a never-ending pencil. It's basically magic. It doesn't get dull, run out, or need sharpening. Don't ask me to explain it, because I can't. But it exists and it's very cool.
5. Repurpose what's on hand. Every single thing doesn't need to be brand new. A notebook with just a few used pages? Tear them out. An old binder? Add some stickers and that half-pack of looseleaf and you're all set!
6. When you must buy new, look for lower waste items, or items made from sustainable materials, like highlighter pencils, recycled paper notebooks, etc.
7. Instead of packing paper napkins with lunches, try an UNpaper towel. It's cuter and it can be washed and re-used! Pack a drink in a reusable bottle, versus a single-use bottle or pouch.
8. For grads moving out of the house, gift them sustainable cleaning products, like a bamboo dish brush, Swedish dishcloths, dish blocks, and bar shampoo and conditioner. Check the shop to make the perfect moving in gift for a student with a new pad!
9. If possible, try biking, walking, or riding public transportation to school. Some communities host bike parades to keep kids safe and encourage biking. Think of the time you'll save looking for parking too!
Back to School Season Doesn't Have to Cost a Fortune!
A little creativity and community can go a long way in making back to school season more sustainable and more affordable!
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