August 1st, 2008

Back to School Green Style!

Posted by Cassie Walker

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Over 80 million children and adults are enrolled in schools across the nation, representing about one-fourth of the population age three and older. With all of these students headed back to school, it’s no wonder that this period has become so important to retailers. August clothing sales, alone, are second only to the holidays in terms of dollars spent.

But before you head off to the mall willy-nilly, stop to think about how you can make choices to reduce your environmental impact.

You are what you wear (in junior high, at least)

First, the most important category to many kids: clothes. Of course, the greenest thing to do is to wear last-year’s clothes. Exaggerated eye roll. Hand-me-downs? Irritated stare. Thrift stores? “Gah-ross!” (Hint: try calling it “vintage”–much cooler.) And so the challenge begins.

Fortunately, more and more companies are jumping into eco-friendly clothing for kids. Though not as environmentally-friendly as forgoing new purchases, clothes made from organic cotton, hemp, and other natural fibers are definitely a better choice. Companies like Kice Kice Organic and Sprout Kids Clothing specialize in such items, but even old stand-bys like Levi Strauss are on board, using organic cotton, recycled zippers and buttons, and natural indigo dye. Many of the outdoor clothing companies that are working towards sustainability, like REI and Patagonia, make kids’ clothes that look as good inside a school as they do outside of one.

Green school supplies

Again, the most environmentally-friendly thing to do for supplies is to have kids use what they already have, from erasers to backpacks. But if they do need some new stuff, buy them “retro” chalkboard slates instead of paper, which can be used over and over again.

OK, just kidding. Go for chlorine-free, recycled paper, binders and notebooks. Pens, pencils, scissors and sticky notes now also come in recycled versions. Though most office supply stores will carry some of these items, try The Green Office for a wider selection, or Ecojot for some really unique notebooks, workbooks, and agendas.

In addition to these everyday school supplies, new alternatives are available for almost anything else you might need for back-to-school, from backpacks with solar panels to charge your phone and iPod to soy crayons.

And if a new computer is on your list, don’t forget to choose an Energy Star-rated model.  And know that laptops are more energy-efficient than desktop models.

Vegetables don’t have to be the only thing green

One of the most wasteful areas in any school is the cafeteria. Whether kids throw away food or bring individually wrapped snacks, there is a lot of room for improvement.

First, the most obvious thing to do is to ditch any disposable bags or containers in favor of lunchboxes with reusable containers, like bento boxes. Or, have kids personalize their own reusable canvas bag. Buy food and drink in larger containers, then parse them out each day instead of buying juice boxes and single-serving bags of chips. Try giving them cloth napkins, which shouldn’t be too hard to bring home, since they have to bring the lunchbox home anyway. They can personalize these, too, or check out cool kid-themed Fabkins. 

Getting them there is half the battle

Transporting kids to and from school can also present environmental problems. If you’re lucky to live close enough to school, and your child can safely do so, the best choice is kid power: walking, biking, skateboarding, or the like. Some communities have programs to watch kids as they walk to school to help ensure their safe arrival – if yours doesn’t, consider starting one.

Some older kids in big cities take mass transit to school, which is also a good choice, environmentally. And, though many kids hate to take the school bus, it is a relatively green option. Some districts are even purchasing hybrid buses! And, even though every bus accident makes national news, school buses are the safest mode of transportation to and from school. During the 10-year period from 1995 to 2005, the National Highway Safety Administration found that only 0.33% of all fatal traffic accidents were school-transport related, and only a small percentage of those involved the bus’s passengers.

On the flip side, one of the worst ways to get your kids to school is to drive them yourself. Accident rates are higher for automobiles, as are emissions. If driving your kids is the only option, at least set up some carpools with other parents to reduce your impact. As a last resort, combine trips, running errands and the like at the same time.

However, the absolute worst way for teens to get to school is to drive themselves. Studies show that teens’ lack of experience behind the wheel leads to jack-rabbit starts and harder braking, as they haven’t yet learned to moderate speed efficiently. This increases fuel use, leading to higher emissions. It’s also less safe, especially if they have other teens in the car.

Go Green U!

If back-to-school now means back to college, dorm rooms and new apartments are ripe with opportunity for getting kids off on a green foot. In addition to the school supplies discussed above, think about things like organic cotton bedding and biodegradable cleaning supplies. Consider sending them off with a bike instead of a car, especially in urban areas. Most college campuses are more easily navigated by bike anyway, and you’ll save on parking fees, not to mention insurance.

Back-to-school is an exciting time. Make the most of your choices and purchasing power by opting for green alternatives. Your kids will get a lesson in responsibility before they even set foot in school.

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