5 Steps to Zero Waste Back-to-School

It’s hard to believe, but back-to-school season is here! As with any time of transition, it’s a perfect opportunity to review our usual ways of doing things and identify areas we may be able to incorporate more environmentally conscious choices. In this blog post, I’m going to explore practical steps for zero waste back-to-school preparation that will not only benefit the environment but also help guide discussions with my kids about the importance of sustainability. As a bonus, some of these actions help to keep down the costs of back-to-school, too!

This post contains affiliate links. By clicking on these links, we may earn a small commission on applicable purchases. This is done at no extra cost to you. We are a part of the Amazon Associates program as well as other affiliate programs. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy & Disclaimers page.

1. Assess Your Needs

Before embarking on your zero waste back-to-school journey, take inventory of what you already have. Check through your previous year’s supplies to see if there are items that can be reused or repurposed. This prevents unnecessary purchases to help keep expenses low and minimizes waste of purchasing duplicate items that may not be used.

If the kids aren’t excited about re-using items, take the opportunity to get creative and create personalized and unique school supplies. Decorate plain binders and folders, or create pencil holders from repurposed materials to make personalized items!

2. Source Eco-Friendly Supplies

When purchasing new supplies, opt for eco-friendly and sustainable options. Look for products made from recycled materials, such as notebooks, binders, and pencils. Consider using refillable pens and markers to minimize plastic waste. Consider backpacks and lunchboxes made from natural or recycled materials, and avoid single-use plastics where possible. One of my favourite sustainable accessories has been an Apple Park backpack! For lunchboxes, I purchased Planetbox from a discount site some years ago and the lunch boxes and bags are still going strong.

3. Pack a Zero Waste Lunch

In an ideal world we would all eliminate pre-packaged snacks and single-use containers – but that’s not always possible! Instead, work toward eliminating as many single-use items as possible toward a waste-free lunch for your kids with the understanding that it’s a work-in-progress – progress over perfection! Some weeks I’m able to make lots of homemade items, and other weeks we rely on more pre-made items due to the craziness of life. Easy replacements include using reusable containers, stainless steel water bottles, and cloth napkins. This not only reduces waste but also saves money in the long run. Two of my go-to homemade snacks that are quick to prepare big batches and freeze well include:

Energy bites

Black bean chocolate muffins

4. Second-Hand Shopping

Explore thrift stores or online platforms for second-hand clothing and accessories. Clothing production has a significant environmental impact, so choosing second-hand options extends the life of existing items and reduces the demand for new production. This is another budget-saver as well! I often purchase winter wear for my kids on online platforms as they are items that don’t get a lot of use (around here, anyways!) so I can purchase lightly used items at a big discount.

5. Digital resources

Depending on the age of the back-to-schooler, consider embracing digital resources whenever possible. Use e-books or online study materials instead of printed textbooks, or consider used textbooks. As a bonus, e-books also tend to be a budget-friendly option! Consider note-taking on devices to reduce paper usage. This approach not only saves resources but can also makes learning more dynamic and interactive as there are many applications to be explored!

Conclusion

By adopting a zero waste approach to back-to-school preparation, you’re not only reducing waste and environmental impact, but also instilling valuable lessons about sustainability in the younger generation. And many of these actions will have a positive impact on the wallet as well! Every small step we take adds up to a significant positive change for our planet. So, as the new school year approaches, let’s see how green we can make this back-to-school!

Submitting your email address gives permission for A Sustainably Simple Life to send you email updates.