Tips for a Sustainable School Year
Back to school is a stressful time for some but an exciting time for others. The excitement of a fresh new school year is something kids and parents both can get behind. School supplies shopping is something we either love or hate. Some teachers will give you a huge list of things they’ll need, others more of a general idea. I know kids love getting new things this time of year but have you ever stopped and thought about how sustainable all these new things you’re buying are? Luckily for you, today we’ve rounded up some tips on how to be a more sustainable school supplies shopper and we even have some recommendations of environmentally friendly supplies at the bottom of this post. Happy reading!
Tips for Shopping Sustainably This School Year
1 - Take inventory of what you already have.
Does your child REALLY need a new backpack? Or does the old one just need to be thrown in the wash? Have a perfectly good binder that was barely used? Why buy a new one? Get the kids to round up all their supplies from last year and lay them out to see exactly what you’re working with.
2 - Only replace what you really need
If you’re missing 10/15 crayons, maybe a new pack would do some good. Pencil crayons can be used for a long time but some people are just too lazy to sharpen them. Why not make a day out of cleaning up old supplies? Get the kids to help sharpen, clean, and organize their supplies from last year so they look brand new again!
3 - For things you DO have to buy, find sustainable options
Recycled paper, bamboo pencils, plastic free pencil cases. There’s TONS of great options around these days that you should have no trouble at all finding things. Just in case you’re struggling, we’ve compiled a list at the bottom of this post to help you out a little! Also feel free to tag us on Instagram if you find any other really cool options! We’d love to see!
4 - Pack your lunches
Packing your own lunches can easily be zero-waste since you can reuse bags, containers, utensils, etc. This is also an easy way to avoid single use plastics! Packing things like fruits, veggies, and sandwiches means no wasteful wrappers.
5 - Explain to your kids that you’re making greener choices
Shopping sustainably can be a lot of work (but well worth it!) so make sure you’re getting your kids involved and explaining to them why it’s important.
Sustainable School Supplies
Little House Erasers - Made from ecological pvc, great for little or big mistakes
Lunch Bots - Stainless steel bento boxes made to last! A favourite in our house.
Sprout Pencils - Made from sustainable wood, these pencils can be planted once they’re too small to use!
Printworks Paper - 100% recycled paper!
Seed Notebooks - Just plant it when you’re done with it!
Eco Pen Club - Tons of earth friendly options to choose from
Onyx and Green Scissors - Made from stainless steel and corn plastic
Recycled Fabric Pencil Cases - Handmade from a small business in Canada
There’s so many more options out there and lots of creative people. Did you know you can even make your own eco-friendly glue? We hope these tips helped you out and we’re looking forward to seeing what else you discover! Please feel free to share with us on our Instagram any other sustainable school supplies you might find.
Have a fantastic school year!