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Posted on Wednesday, August 26, 2015
By:
J.P. Mascaro
Categories:
Recycling
Each year, parents across the country dedicate to sending their children back to school with the latest and greatest - a new trendy backpack, shiny, crisp notebooks, a fresh box of unsharpened pencils. This season, hold on to the green rules you already know: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Wherever possible, reuse what you already have. Invest in the backpack you know will last, and look for products that contain recycled content (especially paper products!).
The Classroom
It’s becoming easier and easier to find eco-friendly options; these low impact school supplies will leaving you feeling good while reducing your young genius’ impact on the environment.
1. First thing’s first: the Binder.
The plastic and vinyl used in most school binders aren’t recyclables, but more importantly they release toxins like dioxins that can damage the immune system. Try a brand like Naked Binders - they’re free of plastic, vinyl, and toxins; plus they’re 100% recyclable.
1. Do your children’s notebooks start looking chewed up & spit out before the end of the first semester? It may be time to invest in an ecosystem™ notebook, they’re incredibly durable and made of 100% post-consumer recycled material. Plus, at the end of the year, you just dismantle the book and send the pieces back to the company for reuse.
2. Try out a pencil made from rolled recycled newspapers, because it’s just good common sense.
The Cafeteria
The most popular hour of the day, this is also where the most waste is generated throughout your student’s day – on average a child bringing a daily brown bag lunch to school will generate 67 lbs. of waste per year!
1. Replace the brown paper bag with a cotton lunch bag. They’re inexpensive, washable, and reusable time and time again. Did we mention, they’re inexpensive?
2. Pack lunches with BPA-free containers instead of the plastic baggies and parchment paper. It’ll save you money over time and makes a big impact the environment.
3. One of the largest garbage generators of our time has been the production of the disposable water bottle. Don’t add to the madness! Buy a durable, BPA-free bottle to store their drinks in.
It’s a simple, daily choice that makes the world of difference when striving for green. Teach your little one the right ways from the start. Keep them healthier with safer goods, each and every day!
Tagged:Green, Recycle, Recycling, Education, School, Sustainability, Environment, Kids, Green Schools, blue bins