... For an Eco-friendly Back-to-SchoolCan you believe it? The bells are ringing and it’s already back-to-school time! Did you know that back-to-school spending is second only to the retail extravaganza of Christmas season shopping?
In uncertain economic times, we are going to be more cautious about how we
spend our money, but that can be a good thing for Mother Earth. If you’re headed back to a classroom, or have kids that are, this is a great opportunity to go green!
First, as tempting as it might be to run out and rescue the economy (or pacify your trendy kids), do you really need to purchase a whole new wardrobe of backpacks, shiny notebooks, and the latest craze in shoes, games and glitter pens?
Be brave. Be firm. And be aware that the hippest trend now is to be eco-friendly! You may find out your kids are already way ahead of you! They get it: reduce, reuse, recycle!
For instance, one of the hottest new gadgets right now is the staple-free stapler. Metal staples are an eco nightmare, sticking in carpets, snagging shirts, causing untold bloodshed, and presenting huge hassles for paper recycling. While a complete replacement hasn’t quite yet been found, for those many small jobs of two to five sheets of paper, the staple-free stapler works great and is Earth-friendly.
Remember to re-use whenever and whatever you can. Check through last year’s stuff. Do last year’s book packs really have to be added to the landfill? If you must shop for a new one, skip the light-weight, disposable fluff and resolve to get a classic, sturdy design that will hold up for a couple of years. Look for eco-friendly packs made from organic or renewable materials that do not contain PVC’s. Target sells the super-hip TerraCycle tote bag, which is made of recycled juice pouches. Or go with organic cotton or hemp, tough, sustainable materials that will hold up over time!
Shop for recycled paper and PVC-free binders and notebooks, which are in almost all the mainstream stores these days. When you can, choose refillable pens and mechanical pencils that can be used over and over. Or check out low impact Forest Choice pencils. With no varnish or lacquer, they are made from unfinished cedar wood and are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council to have originated from environmentally well-managed forests.
There is even a way cool selection of supplies made from reclaimed materials. Try Recycled Jeans Pencils, made partly from, guess -- recycled jeans! Plus there also are some very popular pencils made from recycled tire rubber! Yes, they sharpen just like regular wood and work great in every way!
Want some additional ideas to green up your back-to-class routines? Check back next month!
Remember --
Every little bit makes a world of difference.
