The first day of school is right around the corner and whether your kids are off to Pre-K or starting up their senior year of college, back to school time can often be seen as a blessing. However, with back to school comes back to school shopping. Shopping “green” is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, which is essentially the amount of pollution you contribute to over your lifetime…
You’ve heard it all before, the amount of pollutants we contribute can directly result in Global Warming. Global Warming in turn results in increased national disasters all around the globe [ which THEN can lead to the small stuff like water damage, sewage damage, and even fire damage- see where I’m going here? 😉 ]. There is A LOT of science talk behind that but we’re here to talk shopping; so let’s get to the good stuff!! Here are some awesome back-to-school products (for you AND your kids!) that are both fun and eco-friendly.
Reusable Straws
Has your local Starbucks made the switch to “sippy cup lids”? Have you been tormented by the disintegrating paper straws at your favorite restaurant? Eco-friendly straw options are a great new alternative, however many consumers prefer something more sturdy and long lasting.
Investing in reusable straws made out of silicone or stainless steel are great options for both your lunchbox and
your kids! Brands like Final Straw and Simply Eco even offer cute and compact packaging (along with cleaning tools to make life less “suck-y”).
Reusable Water Bottles
Investing in a reusable water bottles is another great way to reduce how much plastic you’re consuming day-to-day. Stainless steel or glass bottles are the best alternative, and are much more likely to keep your beverage cold for longer periods of time! Making the switch helps to save the planet and your money by cutting out the unnecessary
expense of plastic water bottles. According to a 2017 study done by Penn State, purchasing a quality reusable water bottle can save the average American $6,180 over a five year span.
Recycled Shoes & Clothing
Yes, you read that right. Brands like Adidas, Rothy’s, Converse, and even Vans are producing shoe wear made almost entirely out of recycled materials. There is also an increasing number of companies, like Levi’s, using recycled water bottles to create denim.
Behind the oil industry, the clothing industry is the second largest polluter globally; so it’s important to cut back where you can. In addition to buying clothing built from recycled materials, you can also try out ways of reducing your contribution to overall production. Neighborhood clothing swaps, and donating and purchasing clothing from second hand stores are great ways to accomplish this. There is nothing wrong with giving old clothes new love!!
Eco-Friendly Bags
Okay. Stick with me here. I’m talking reusable lunch baggies, reusable shopping baggies, even eco-friendly backpacks; the opportunities are ENDLESS. If you’re local to the DMV you’re probably already pretty familiar with the bag taxes of Montgomery County or even the non-recyclable bag bans in D.C. These initiatives work to reduce the mass production of plastic bags and they exist all over the country. Bringing reusable shopping bags with you wherever you go is a simple habit to help make a difference and avoid the potential of having to purchase bags as
you shop. Reusable lunch baggies and containers are another great way to start the school year off “green”. Instead of using Ziploc or paper bags daily to pack lunch, try using reusable silicone baggies from brands like Stasher and Grove Collaborative.
There are so MANY options for keeping your back to school shopping list as green as possible, and this is just the beginning! For other great options check out some of these guides. In addition to these products, remember there are plenty of other simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint, including carpools and public transportation!
Here’s wishing a happy, healthy, and green school year from our TSR® Family to yours!
#backtoschoolshopping #gogreen #dc #maryland #virginia #tristaterestorations
Sources
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/global-warming-101
https://www.wri.org/blog/2017/07/apparel-industrys-environmental-impact-6-graphics
