Green Back-to-School Tips!
Whether it’s packing your children’s lunch to reduce single-use packaging, carpooling to lower car usage, parking and not idling while waiting for school to let out, or keeping your family safe from sickness, making healthier, greener choices for back to school need not be difficult and can save you money. Be the role model for living sustainably at home before the first school bell rings! Here are some easy tips to walk the green talk as you prepare to go back to school this year!
Try carpooling!
One easy way to save time, gas, and help the environment is by setting up a carpool! A study found that each year, the average passenger vehicle uses around 550 gallons of fuel. Still, if an additional passenger were added to every 10 cars, we could reduce the fuel consumption in the US by up to 7.74 billion gallons annually and save around 68 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. annually*. Having carpooling systems in place can also build a sense of community, make it easier for your kids to meet new classmates, and help you to better get to know the people in your neighborhood. Lastly, joining a carpool can save time in the morning by avoiding morning rush hour traffic and allowing you to take turns. Overall, carpooling is an easy and environmentally-friendly way to get to work and school!
Other alternatives to using your car to get to school include walking, biking, and riding the bus! Walking and biking are great ways to get some exercise and wake you up before the school day even begins. Simply biking 1 mile each day to school is the equivalent of 3.8 trees planted annually.** Lastly, using the bus system is another excellent alternative to using cars. It can help you escape traffic and reach your destination faster by allowing you to use special bus lanes.
*Source: (Carpooling: Benefits to Society, Employers, and Individuals | by Move Forward | Move Forward Blog | Medium)
**Source: Carbon Emissions Offset Calculator).
School shop sustainably!
One effective way to be more sustainable during the back-to-school season is by participating in “Buy Nothing” groups, joining local “Swap Don’t Shop” events, or using platforms like NextDoor. These community-based networks encourage neighbors to share, trade, or gift gently used items instead of throwing them away or buying new things. Many families have extra school supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes, or clothing that their children have outgrown or no longer need. By tapping into these resources, you reduce unnecessary waste, lower your environmental impact, and save money—while also building a stronger sense of community.
“Swap Don’t Shop” events are a great way to exchange items face-to-face. These gatherings, often held at community centers, schools, or libraries, allow families to bring in usable items and pick up what they need—no money exchanged. It’s a fun, sustainable way to prepare for the school year while giving items a second life. Additionally, taking stock of last year’s supplies and reusing items like folders, binders, and pencil cases can go a long way in reducing your environmental footprint. Involving children in these efforts helps teach them the value of sustainability and responsible consumption from an early age. Together, these simple actions can create a more eco-friendly and cost-effective approach to the school year. When it is time to buy something new, opting for less and prioritizing quality garments from sustainable designers can significantly benefit your bank account in the long run, while also supporting the environment.
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Pack a zero-waste lunch!
Packing a lunch is a great way to save money and make sure your kids eat healthy. Skip the plastic and opt for reusable alternatives instead. Try reusable sandwich and snack bags in fun, kid-friendly designs and sustainable beeswax wraps that are perfect for wrapping sandwiches and snacks. For drinks, consider durable, easy-to-clean stainless steel water bottles. And to cut down on single-use utensils, consider grabbing a bamboo cutlery kit or bringing your cutlery from home. These one-time purchases reduce waste, save money, and simplify your routine.
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Practice green disinfecting and cleaning!
Start the school year off right by doing what you can to stay healthy! But wanting to stay germ-free need not come at the sacrifice of the environment. Did you know many household cleaners and disinfectants contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, ammonia, and chlorine, ingredients known to cause cancer and respiratory issues? To disinfect surfaces without bleach, you can effectively use hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol, all of which are considered green cleaning alternatives. Here are some helpful tips for disinfecting:
- Hydrogen Peroxide: 3% hydrogen peroxide is a good option for disinfecting. It breaks down into oxygen and water, making it environmentally friendly. For optimal disinfecting, it’s best to let it sit on the surface for 30 minutes after cleaning. It can be used on various surfaces like toilet bowls, shaving razors, and even fruits and vegetables. Chlorox® even creates a disinfectant wipe with hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach.
- Vinegar: White vinegar, with its acetic acid, can kill bacteria and viruses. It’s effective for general cleaning and can be used as an everyday disinfectant.
- Rubbing Alcohol: High-proof rubbing alcohol, like 70% or higher isopropyl alcohol, is also an effective disinfectant. It’s recommended to clean the surface first and then apply the alcohol, allowing it to dry for optimal disinfecting.
- Combining Ingredients: You can also combine hydrogen peroxide and vinegar for enhanced disinfecting, but avoid using them at the same time to prevent harmful fumes. For example, you can clean with vinegar, rinse, and then apply hydrogen peroxide.