Off the Urban Grid

Sustainable Back to School Tips

By the end of August or beginning of September, you will be back in the school swing, which means that you have limited time to get you and your child’s act together. Not only do you have to start retiring to bed earlier, you also have to gather school supplies. Although your child might have certain brands or types of pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. in mind, you can find more sustainable and wallet friendly alternatives.

The Backpack

Reusing the backpack from last year is a money saver. However, if your child can’t continue the following year with the same bag because it’s destroyed or too juvenile, there are solutions other than buying new. First, search your house for alternative bags. Even a messenger bag will do. Then you can ask neighbors or friends for backpacks they no longer need.

Notebooks & Paper

There are various brands of notebooks made from recycled materials such as Sustainable Earth and Sasquatch. Check flyers for sales and discounts so you can buy these items in bulk and have some for next year too. Sometimes buying them closer to the school year ensures you’ll get them for a better price, but there is no guarantee that any will be leftover.

Pens & Pencils

For pens and pencils, look for biodegradable and reusable products. Encourage your child to reuse the pen by purchasing at least one ink refill. Often these items are best bought in bulk at a cheaper price.

Along with writing utensils, your child will probably also need crayons, markers and colored pencils. Buying new sets every year is a waste, so make sure the packs from previous years are all used up first.

Clothing

Many children get excited to go back to school, because it means they get to go shopping for supplies and clothing. Hand-me-down clothes are always great when you have several children or family members close in age, but another option is shopping at a consignment store like Plato’s Closet or another local one. Your child will be surprised to find so many brand name clothing designers at such low prices.

Tags: back to school, eco-friendly school supplies, green school supplies