Making Back to School Season More Eco-friendly

As the summer draws to a close, we are reminded of back to school season. Back to school season is considered the second largest retail season for the year (second only to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons). As you visit malls and stores, there are a number of sales highlighting items to buy for this occasion. The following are six ideas on ways to make back to school season more eco-friendly.

1. Buy only what you need

Whether it is school supplies or clothing, it is always tempting to buy new items because of the impressive sales. However, it is more eco-friendly and economically if your children reuse their existing school supplies and clothes. In order to entice them to reuse their items, you can make a game out of it. Have them locate items they already have that appears on the suggested school supply list. Then, find out how much it would cost for them to buy new items. The amount of money saved can be contributed towards a vacation or trip. This encourages children to think twice before they spend on duplicate items.

2. Accept "hand me downs"

There are a number of neighborhood friends and family members that you can tap into for good hand me down items which include clothes and school supplies.

3. Invest in high quality items

It is often tempting to buy disposable or cheap items from the local dollar store. At the end of the day, it is a better investment to buy a higher quality item. For example, this holds true for items such as backpacks, lunch boxes and pencil boxes.

4. Introduce the concept of eco-friendly school supplies

A number of office supply companies are beginning to offer more reasonably priced eco-friendly office and school supplies. Although they are still priced higher than the traditional items, they are usually made with good quality and is well worth the purchase. Engage your children is looking for eco-friendly school supplies or eco-friendly clothing whenever possible.

5. Plan ahead

School supply lists rarely change from year to year, so look ahead to next year's school supply list and start thinking of creative ways to plan for it. Students do not have to want until college to learn that they can purchase second hand study guides and textbooks or borrowing books from the local library.

6. Upgrade instead of replace

Teach your children that it is just as fun to upgrade or customize an existing item instead of replacing an item. Sometimes, it is as simple as having your children add stickers to an existing pencil box or adding a new badge or patch to an existing school backpack to start the new year. As your children continue to use the same backpack, he/she can add a new badge or patch each academic year.

Sometimes a back to school ritual such as making your children their favorite breakfast or packing them a special lunch is a great way to kick off the school year. Brainstorm with your children what they would like to be part of their back to school ritual and they will begin to appreciate life experiences a bit more each day.