Greening the Back-to-School Routine: One Planet Life’s Eco-Friendly Tips for a Sustainable Season

The back-to-school season brings excitement and anticipation as summer break comes to an end. But amidst the flurry of preparations, it’s essential to not lose sight of our commitment to sustainability. 

Incorporating eco-friendly practices into the back-to-school routine can have a profound impact on the environment and set a positive example for future generations.  While it may seem like a challenge, there are so many easy ways for students and parents to adopt greener habits without compromising their busy schedules. 

OPL’s comprehensive guide delves into eco-conscious education, offering actionable insights to ensure a greener return to classrooms.

Explore ways to make each step of the back-to-school transition more environmentally mindful.  Commit to a renewed focus on eco-friendly habits, and navigate necessary school supplies with a sustainable twist.  Discover how to embrace sustainable transportation alternatives that reduce your carbon footprint.  Learn new strategies for minimizing lunchtime waste with smart, planet-friendly packing, and let your students express their individuality through sustainable back-to-school fashion. 

We also shed light on how extracurricular activities help foster a deeper connection with nature and the community. And finally, we discuss the power of community engagement and how families, schools, and neighborhoods can collaborate to build a more sustainable future. Join us in embracing a new academic year with a dedication to sustainability that enriches both minds and the environment.

One Planet Life’s Eco-Friendly Tips for a Sustainable Back-to-School Season:

Additionally, paper consumption is increasing globally at an unsustainable rate. Demand for paper is expected to double between 2005 and 2030, according to The World Counts. The annual production of paper reaches an average of 420 million tons, which corresponds to two pieces of paper for every person on the planet every single hour. Moreover, 42% of all trees harvested globally are used for paper production. About 93% of raw material for paper comes from trees.  On average, one tree produces the equivalent of about 8,000 pages.

Making sustainable choices when buying school essentials is a crucial step for reducing our ecological footprint and keeping our children safe.

By opting for environmentally friendly stationery, such as recycled paper and non-toxic markers, we can minimize the strain on forests and limit the release of harmful chemicals into the environment. Additionally, exploring digital alternatives for note-taking and reading materials can significantly reduce paper usage. When printing is necessary, encouraging double-sided printing.  Reusing paper for scrap notes can also minimize waste.

Another aspect to consider is reusing and repurposing old supplies. By encouraging children to repurpose last year’s materials or sharing items with siblings, we promote resource conservation and a sense of mindful consumption. Supporting sustainable brands and initiatives that prioritize eco-friendly manufacturing and packaging practices can also make a tangible difference in promoting greener school supply options.

Using energy-efficient devices and equipment can further reduce environmental impact. Reminding students to turn off electronic devices when not in use and optimize power settings can lead to substantial energy savings. Promoting efficient time management can also play a role in sustainability by reducing the need for last-minute printing and resource usage.

For longer distances, public transportation or carpooling with fellow students can be excellent alternatives. By establishing eco-conscious commuting habits among parents and students, we can collectively work toward creating cleaner and healthier communities.

For districts that offer school bus commutes, advocating for the switch to electric buses can save districts money over time and contribute much less emissions than traditional diesel buses. Replacing all school buses with electric buses could prevent over 5.3 million tons of greenhouse gas each year, according to a study by The Aspen Institute. Districts could also save $2,000 in fuel and $4,400 in maintenance costs, on average, annually.

Additionally, embracing plant-based and locally sourced food choices for school lunches has environmental benefits. By reducing the demand for meat and supporting local farmers, we can mitigate the environmental impact of food production and transportation. Moreover, teaching children about composting and reducing food waste can instill a sense of responsibility toward conserving resources.

Supporting sustainable and ethical fashion brands that are devoted to using eco-friendly materials and fair labor practices is another way to make a positive impact. Additionally, recycling and upcycling old clothing can bring new life into fashion while reducing waste.

Moreover, parents can actively support and initiate eco-focused clubs and events within the community. Collaborating with schools and local organizations to promote sustainability can create a broader impact and encourage a culture of environmental consciousness.

Promoting educational programs on environmental awareness can further enhance students’ understanding of the importance of sustainability. Nearly 67% of schools worldwide emphasize teaching sustainability principles in their curriculum. However, UNESCO recommends that more emphasis be given to environmental themes in education, with a particular need to expand the integration of climate change and biodiversity. Engaging with local sustainability initiatives and organizations can connect students and parents with like-minded individuals, creating a supportive network for eco-conscious efforts.

As students and parents gear up for the upcoming academic year, it’s essential to remember that sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into back-to-school preparations. By overcoming the summer slump and re-establishing eco-friendly habits, students and parents can actively embrace sustainability in their daily lives.

Ultimately, the collective effort of students, parents, schools, and communities can create a greener future for generations to come. By working together and fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment, we can pave the way for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious back-to-school season.

Take tiny, manageable steps to produce ripples that reach far and last well past January.

January is when many of us load up on resolutions and new things that will add to our busy lives. More than ever, this includes a desire to live sustainably. While big goals are great, the way to make lasting change is to make them small, frictionless, and attached to the scaffolding of what you are already doing.

As a health and wellness coach, many of my clients come to me with big, beautiful goals that are exciting but also overwhelming. How do you go from sedentary days to running a race? Or how do you go from passive concern for the environment to making your impact? We begin by aligning with the value of the change and then breaking it into little steps. 

Similarly, if you have contemplated reducing single-use plastic use, you could start this journey by switching to a product supporting your desire to reuse and recycle. These products may be a reusable water bottle and reusable storage bags. You can add another small change the following week, such as switching to toothpaste bits versus using toothpaste in a plastic tube. Now, your actions align with your values and desires, and you are on your way.

S.M.A.R.T goals. 

Whether you are focused on yourself or the planet, the way forward is the same –  take small actions that add up to make a significant impact.

In wellness coaching, we call them S.M.A.R.T goals. We help you make specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound plans. Whether you decide to use a One Planet Life tracking tool or set up a plan for yourself, there are ways to make it more likely to succeed. Whatever you want for yourself, align it with your values and make it easy.

Many people feel energized just by setting goals, but how do you sustain that energy after the novelty wears off? While joining the gym on January 1 is empowering, many have tapered off and quit by month’s end. The consistency of habits gets you to where you want to be.

As James Clear makes simple in his book Atomic Habits, the laws of behavior change are a simple set of rules we can use to build better habits for ourselves, our families, and our planet. “(1) make it obvious, (2) make it attractive, (3) make it easy, and (4) make it satisfying.”

With this framework, the thinking and deciding that can be exhausting become a habit as easy as brushing your teeth in the morning or clicking the check on the OPL app. By the time it is February, you will have made a small but sustainable change, you will feel your accomplishment, and you will be ready to take the next small step.