
It's back to school time! Whether your child is starting their very first year of school or inching closer to graduation, these seven savvy tips will reduce their daily impact on the environment and make them the smartest kids in the class.
7. Trash Free Lunches. Pack a trash free lunch by using reusable lunch boxes and containers. Fresh foods and fruit are great healthy alternatives to prepackaged snacks. Instead of packing a napkin, pack a washcloth for the student to wipe their hands and face.
6. Green Transportation. On days that the weather is nice, encourage your kids to bike or walk to school with friends. On rainy or snowy days, be sure to have a neighborhood carpool plan in place to reduce traffic and minimize carbon emissions.
5. Reusable water bottles. Ditch the plastic water bottles and stick with a reusable canteen that can be refilled all year long.
4. The Write Stuff. Mechanical pencils are handy tools that will last your child all year long with its refillable lead. For younger kids, try recycled newspaper pencils.
3. Create Recycled Textbook Covers. Most schools require their students to cover their textbooks to prevent wear and tear throughout the year. Use the sturdy brown paper bags from the grocery store or funny comics from the newspaper.
2. Clear the Air. Make sure your child’s school air is safe. Petition the school board to do so through the EPA’s Healthy School Environment Resources. HSER is your gateway to on-line resources to help facility managers, school administrators, architects, design engineers, school nurses, parents, teachers and staff address environmental health issues in schools.
1. Start a Recycling Program. Use HSER's resources to petition the school board to go green by implementing recycling and composting programs.