New teachers. Freshly sharpened pencils. Homework. They can mean only one thing. Yep, even though you may still be enjoying the summer, that time of year is right around the corner – back to school. And though your children may not be thrilled that their summer vacation is over, there is something exciting about a new school year and a fresh start.
One thing that is exciting for younger students is getting ready for the new school year with a new backpack filled with all the supplies they need… and even some they may not. This time of year is another great opportunity to teach your kids a lesson about sustainability by outfitting their backpack with eco-friendly, “green” supplies.
Here are some products to add to your list of school supplies:
• Recycled paper: If you think about how much paper children can go through between the first and last day of school – calculating math problems, taking notes, and maybe even making taboo paper airplanes – then you know we need a way to offset that use, and sometimes waste, of paper. So, recycled paper is a good choice, whether for printing out term papers or keeping up with your to-do list with Post-it notes.
• Writing tools: Pens, pencils, and markers are must-have for students, so it’s important to find ones that are eco-friendly. The good news is that there are plenty of options. And for the younger kids, there are even crayons that are eco-friendly, or you can make your own from leftover crayon bits.
• Miscellaneous supplies: From scissors and binders made from recycled material to backpacks made from canvas, there are so many opportunities to teach your children how to go back to school in eco-friendly style.
