Let’s create a clean, green, back-to-school scene! With summer drawing to a close, it’s time to shift into school mode. We have come up with our top tips for reducing waste and saving money as you head back to the classroom this year.
Before going out and buying new everything, check around the house for school supplies that you can reuse. Do you have an old notebook with a few used pages? Rip out the used pages and the book is like new. You can also replace the erasers and lead in most mechanical pencils instead of buying entirely new ones.
If you must buy new supplies, buy recycled. Choosing items made with recycled content helps to “close the loop,” conserving natural resources and boosting market demand for recyclable materials. Common school supplies that are made with recycled materials include pencils, notebooks, folders and even bags. Most importantly, look out for products that are reliable and durable. If you buy sturdy, high-quality items, they are less likely to need replacement soon and will take a longer time before they need to be recycled or landfilled.
When buying your sustainable school supplies, try buying in bulk. This is helpful in more ways than one. You can eliminate unnecessary packaging by buying more at once and not having so many smaller packages. Buying in bulk is also a great way to save money, since the items usually have a lower unit price compared to purchasing them individually.
Refuel anyone? Packing lunch is another opportunity to contribute to zero-waste efforts. By storing food in reusable containers, you get more use out of them and won’t have to continue buying single-use products.
Baltimore County’s Bureau of Solid Waste Management wishes a successful and sustainable school year for you all. If you have any zero-waste tips for back to school, share them with us on our Facebook page or email us at cleangreen@baltimorecountymd.gov.