Sending your children off to class again doesn't have to be a consumer-crazed, heavy-footprint-on-the-Earth activity. Following are some ideas for starting the new school year in as green a way as possible:
Choose Eco-Friendly School Supplies
No, you can't ignore those school supply lists. And, yes, you do have to go out and buy some new supplies: notebooks, paper, pens, pencils, folders, erasers and so on. But many of these items are now available in greener, Earth-friendlier versions than before. Shopping online is the best way to find the greatest selection of post-consumer recycled paper, sustainably harvested wood pencils and other green office gear.
If you're pressed for time, though, you'll find a growing availability of eco-focused office supplies at most major retailers. Just be sure to check the labels or ask a store employee for the best options in stock.
Focus on Reusable, Washable and Sturdy
Disposable juice boxes, paper napkins, throw-away lunch containers and plastic school bags might seem cheap upfront, but they carry high, longer-term costs... both for the environment and your wallet. Over time, for example, all those juice boxes will end up costing you many times more than a stainless-steel thermos and a weekly gallon of natural juice (or, better -- and healthier -- still, water from the tap) for refills.
The same goes for many other standard items in the average schoolkid's lunchbag: paper napkins (pack cloth napkins or small dish towels instead), snack boxes (why not try environmentally-friendly and reusable containers designed for camping, or washable Japanese-style bento boxes?) and even the lunchbags themselves (consider buying a "green" and reusable lunchbag, some of which can be opened up to provide a clean and sanitary placemat for dining)..
Cut Back on Plastics
Plasticware and similar items are inexpensive and easy to replace, but the downsides of plastic are worth consideration. Plastic waste clogs our oceans and takes centuries, if not more, to degrade. There's also the health concerns associated with bisphenol A, a compound in some types of plastic that's been identified as an endocrine disruptor (something that interferes with normal hormonal functions). While the extent of bisphenol A's risks have not yet been fully determined, it's best not to take a chance with your precious youngsters.
So pack your kids' foods and drinks in stainless steel ware or bioware (plastics made from plants) if you can. And if you can't, at least steer away from plastics most likely to leach bisphenol A into foods and beverages. Of the seven types of commonly used plastics, five don't use bisphenol A: Types 1 (PET), 2 (HDPE), 4 (LDPE), 5 (polypropylene) and 6 (polystyrene).
Have a happy, safe, healthy and green start to your children's new school year!
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