Shopping

School supply shopping can get expensive. Parents can expect to spend hundreds of dollars per child on back-to-school supplies, yet only 22% of them plan to reuse school supplies for the following year. 

Let’s look at some alternatives for this year’s back-to-school preparations that are better for us and the planet! 

Reuse what you have.

Sort through old supplies to see if there are any pens, pencils, or paper that are still good for use.  

Wash last year’s backpack and use it this year! You can even try your hand at mending any rips or holes in the fabric with embroidery—customizing your bag to look brand new! 

Buying new.

If you need to purchase new pens or notebooks, try finding products made from recycled materials! Look for tags that specify the materials in a product, such as “made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic.” 

Secondhand shopping.

If you need a new backpack or clothes, try finding them secondhand! Thrift stores and clothing swaps often have back-to-school promotions with relevant items on display.  

Food.

Food is the biggest source of waste in schools. Having reusable food containers reduces the number of single-use plastics in the waste stream, and you can bring your leftovers home to eat later or compost! And don’t forget last year’s reusable water bottle! 

Information from Greenly, Keep America Beautiful, and the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency.