Practicing the 3 R’s

by SweisKloss
August 8, 2024

It may feel like the summer is just getting started this week with temperatures soaring and the marine layer finally lifting, but it’s back to school for many students later this month. And every parent knows what that means –- endless lists of school supplies, shopping for new clothing, packing daily lunches. This back to school season we thought we would give you some tips on the other 3 “R”s – reduce, reuse and recycle.

Back to school is big business. According to CapitalOne Shopping, “Americans spent a total of $135.5 billion for back to school and back to college shopping in 2023.” The credit card company estimates that the average cost for supplies for one child in grades K-12 is $597 and $1,600 for college students. Going green this year can help save the environment, and your wallet.

Before you even hit the supply stores or surf the web, take stock of the supplies you already have at home. Many items from the previous year may still be in good condition and reusable such as scissors, binders and even last year’s backpack.
When purchasing new supplies, opt for sustainable and eco-friendly products. Look for items with minimal packaging and that are made from recycled, non-toxic and organic materials. From recycled notebook paper and index cards to divider tabs and colored pencils, several brands, such as Onyx + Green (https://www.onyxandgreen.com/), Michael Roger’s Decomposition (https://decomposition.com) , and Ecology, offer products that are environmentally friendly and reasonably priced. Sprouts’ pencils are truly sustainable – made from responsibly sourced wood, each contains a small seed capsule at the tip. When the pencil becomes too short to use, simply turn it upside down, plant the stub and watch it grow into fragrant herbs, beautiful flowers or fresh organic vegetables. (https://sproutworld.com)
Consider refillable pens and pencils to reduce plastic waste, such as Zebra’s refillable ballpoint pens and mechanical pencils. (https://www.zebrapen.com/)
If you have the storage space, buy bulk for essential items, such as copy paper, to minimize packaging and reduce costs.
Get an “A” in everyone’s favorite class – lunch! – using these simple tips. Use compostable baggies, pack food and snacks in steel containers (Eco lunchboxes (https://ecolunchboxes.com/)) and wrap sandwiches in beeswax. Bee’s Wrap (https://www.beeswrap.com/) makes colorful, creative and fun wrap that can be rinsed and reused. Don’t forget the reusable utensils, straws, and water bottles., such as such as Bentgo’s dishwasher-safe alternatives (https://bentgo.com/) or Takeya’s (https://takeyausa.com/) stainless steel kids’ water bottles. While single-serve snack packs are convenient, they are also more costly and cannot be recycled. Instead buy bulk quantities of fresh snacks, store at home and then pack a snack in a reusable container.
Vintage is in, so hit the thrift stores for stylish back to school outfits. Second-hand clothing is budget friendly and fashionable.
Technology can be some of the most expensive back to school items. Look for refurbished tech such as a certified used computer.
Textbooks are old school. Consider digital resources such as e-workbooks and e-textbooks.
Start the day off on the right foot by walking or biking to school, both healthy and environmentally-friendly choices. Otherwise use public transportation or carpool to reduce carbon emissions.
Finally, donate any unwanted items still in good condition to second-hand stores.