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When it is time to return to school, another wave of consumerism ripples across the nation as new clothes, new sacks, books, pens, pencils, rubbers, rulers and all the other paraphernalia need to get junior to his seat of learning for the new semester.
Well, this is the year when we really make an effort into making it a green school experience.
First, take an inventory of the available material that can be used again this year so find all the pens, pencils, and other stationery items that are just hanging around the house, left over from last semester. This will give you an idea of what to put on your shopping list. If there is anything that needs to be bought, think green. Instead of adding to the huge mountain of throwaway pens, you really don't want to know how many are used each year, get a pen that can use a refill and try an automatic pencil which can also be refilled. Chose recycled paper products whenever possible and investigate if it is possible to file any homework by email, which will really cut down on tree use. When you consider that an average school 'eats' over 600 trees per year, we need to as much as we can to reduce this level.
Clothes are a big purchase item when it comes to the back to school shopping, and kids can be very picky. If your child is going into a new school for the first time, then new clothes are very important. If there are just moving up a class then certainly look in the thrift shops, where you can find low cost but good quality items. See if there is a Buffalo Exchange near you, this has some great used clothing or look up Swap-o-Rama to see if there is going to be a meeting near you. When buying new, go for well made sustainable fabrics, organic if possible, not only will they last longer, they are kinder to the planet.
If you are going to be sending your child to school with a lunch box, get one that is washable and reusable, avoiding any that are PVC based as these can leach chemicals. This goes for drinks containers too. A sturdy metal one, stainless steel not aluminium is best.
When it comes to going to school, think about all the options. Are you close enough for your child to walk or cycle there, and is there a safe route? Those living further away may consider using the school bus. If you really have to use a car then explore the possibilities of setting up a parents car pool because driving your child to school is going to be the worst of the options. Apart from the gas used, short journeys means that the engine doesn't get a chance to reach its optimum temperature and the emissions will be higher.
Finally, question the school about it's green policies and see if they have any recycling initiatives or student learning programs on climate change and the need to recycle. Every little we can do will make this a greener, safer world.
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