Greener Education: Suggestions for Making Eco-friendly School Choices

We all strive to teach our children how to make life choices that respect the earth. Working toward a greener school year is one simple way to incorporate those choices into everyday living.

Repair and Reuse: Be willing to repair what you already have and reuse it for as long as you can. We may live in a disposable culture, but we can work to show our children that with a little elbow grease we can often make do with what we have.

Buy Used: If you find yourself in need of new school supplies for the coming year, consider buying what you can use. Search out thrift stores, consignment shops and online swap forums and auctions for great bargains on second hand supplies.

Recycle, Recycle: One of the most important elements of a green lifestyle is regular recycling. Provide a place for the kids to recycle unneeded school papers, used up school supplies (such as marker casings or crayon boxes), non-reusable food containers, packaging, and other school related waste.

Use Reusable: Choose reusable over disposable items whenever you can. This is especially important with products like plastic baggies for lunch, whose impact on the earth quickly builds up. Choose food safe, reusable alternatives such as stainless steel lunch boxes and bento boxes, or cloth bags and food wraps to store food. If you don’t have the money for new reusable items you can easily use food containers you already have around the house.

Choose Eco-Friendly Products: For those items that cannot be purchased used (such as paper and writing supplies) and any other items you decide to buy new, choose products that are as eco-friendly as possible. Look for shops that sell 100% post-consumer recycled paper, pencils and supply boxes made from sustainably harvested or recycled materials, and backpacks and clothing made of natural, organic fibers.

Buy Whole Foods: The foods you choose to buy make a big impact on the earth. Choose local foods that have traveled less distance to their destination, and organic foods that don’t harm the earth and its inhabitants with harmful chemicals.

Encourage Schools to Care: Find out if your child’s school is providing recycling services, local, organic foods, and safe school materials for their students. If they are not, express your concern and work with them toward change. Consider getting other like-minded parents together to encourage the school to become an eco-friendly example.