Sustainable Back-to-School Preparation Tips
Climate Change is coming into the public consciousness, and people are beginning to realize that we need to live more sustainably for the sake of our planet. We are changing how we live to protect the earth and future generations from the consequences of ecological destruction. To do so, we must reevaluate what we do on a macro and micro level.
Only through broad behavioral change can we address climate change. As students head back to school (maybe for the first time in a long while), we need to ask ourselves how our back-to-school shopping routines can be made more sustainable? One of the most powerful ways to living a sustainable lifestyle is to not waste and to not over-consume items that are unnecessary.
Every year, billions in revenue are reported from preparing students to head back to school, and tons of plastic and paper are bought only to be used sparingly and tossed aside. In 2020, total planned back-to-school expenditure in the United States amounted to about $33.9 billion. This money is invested into cheap, low-quality materials that often need to be replaced by the following back-to-school season.
This cycle is not sustainable, as it relies on cheap, unregulated mineral extraction and industry to then be shipped to your area from various countries across the world. To break this cycle, we must consider how we can get the supplies we need for school in a sustainable fashion.
The number one thing you can do as a parent or student is to reduce your environmental impact by reducing the amount you buy. We often are sold products using marketing techniques that we think will be used, but find they never were at the end of the school year. Avoiding impulse buying and checking through the supplies you already have can help you reduce unnecessary purchases. When you decide you need to buy something, try to source locally-made school materials as a way to reduce the impact of shipping. Purchasing second-hand supplies is another great option that will not only save you money but help save the environment. There are great alternatives to cheaply made products that don’t last.
Technology allows us to reduce our paper consumption dramatically. If your school allows it, transition to taking notes on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Digital products are other resource savers; many novels and textbooks can now be purchased as eBooks or even sourced for free.
If you need to buy new technology for school, buy refurbished computers and tablets instead of new ones. This drastically reduces the number of virgin materials mined and extracted to produce brand new products.
If you can’t switch over to eBooks, try to purchase used books. There are now even ways to rent textbooks instead of buying them new. Most of the information in textbooks will not change dramatically over a few years. College-aged students should ask professors if they can use previous editions.
When it comes to pens, notebooks, pencils, and the many small plastic disposable items we purchase for school, you can switch them out for more sustainable options. Avoid mechanical pencils because, while they may be refillable, they still do generate plastic waste at the end of their lifetime and are often underused. Many sustainable pencils are entering the market with various approaches to design. Consider the old standard wooden pencils and look for a wooden dry highlighter pencils too.
One notable example is Sprout World Plantable Pencils which contains a seed that can be planted at the end of their lifecycles to promote biodiversity and divert plastic waste. In general, try to buy materials made of recycled material or sustainably sourced material like bamboo.
Notebooks, folders, binders, etc. should not be bleached.
Pens labeled as 'green' are often not, and the viability of the company selling them should be investigated before purchase. Many are marketed as sustainable when in actuality they are not. One trustable option would be A Good Company’s Natural Grass Pen, which is made from meadow grass.
Transportation on campus should not be overlooked as an opportunity to reduce your environmental impact as a student if this applies to you. Investing in a bicycle for transport over a vehicle is a great way to reduce your impact if this is feasible in your commute situation. Carpooling with other students for events or to go to classes is another option that will reduce the emissions associated with your transportation.
In terms of dining, purchasing a stainless steel lunchbox and bringing food to school instead of using plastic ones or purchasing food often in plastic packaging is a great way to reduce waste. Don't forget to utilize reusable water bottles as well, stainless steel water bottles are a great choice. They keep your drinks cold and can handle getting banged up.
Back-to-school clothes shopping is a huge event for parents and their children. There are a variety of sustainable clothing brands that make high-quality clothes with recycled or responsibly resources materials, although they can be pricey. Another sustainable back to clothes shop is thrifting, or purchasing secondhand. There are a wide variety of online apps and marketplaces filled with sellers ready to share their previous garments with you for a fraction of the price as brand new.
In summary, by making small adaptations to your back-to-school routine, your impact on the planet can be reduced drastically. Sustainable practices over time will reduce your waste and can be a vital element on your part in the fight against climate change.
