Saturday, August 23, 2008

Going Back to School Enviro-Style

Many of our kids are going back to school (or going for the first time!) and there are a few easy ways to ensure you keep the world they will inherit as clean as we can. Here are a few tips as to how you can ensure you are doing your part - and showing your children that you care:
  • Pack a waste-free lunch: when preparing your kids lunch, take an extra 2 minutes to reduce the waste that fills our landfills. Buy in bulk! It's not only better for the earth, it's also less expensive. Examples include:
    • Instead of buying individually packaged yogurts, buy the big container and simply fill a small, reusable plastic container each day with their favourite kinds.
    • Buy reusable plastic containers for their sandwiches, drinks and sliced fruits & veggies instead of plastic baggies
    • Purchase a reusable lunch box and use reusable forks and spoons
Please note: Make sure the plastic container is a safe plastic: look for recycling #s 1,2 and 5. Some lunch boxes may even be a #4 (which is the next best thing).
  • Choose recycled and/or enviro-friendly school supplies whenever possible: Buy 100% recycled paper when purchasing notebooks, buy solar powered calculators and refillable pens. Opt for recycled dividers, binders and even some pens
  • Reuse anything you can from last years supplies. You don't need to purchase new pencil crayons, highlighters, pens and pencils every year. Buy some new but reuse what you can.
There are many products available this year at large retailers like Staples so it's easier than ever to 'go green'!