5 Eco Friendly Back to School Tips

Going back to school after a long summer break can be exciting for our little ones, but it’s also a time when a lot of waste is generated. From new school supplies to clothes and lunch gear, there’s a lot that ends up in landfill. 

Below are some tips to help you shop more sustainably this back-to-school season. You can also take advantage of these tips to teach your child how to care for our planet.

1. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle When Possible 

When it comes to back-to-school shopping, remember the three Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle. 

Start by thinking about the things you use and throw away every day—and then figure out ways to reuse them. This means recycling cans and bottles instead of throwing them in the trash and bringing your own lunch rather than buying one from the cafeteria every day.

You can reuse any of last year’s materials or recycle them into something new. For example, turn an old t-shirt into a tote bag or use recycled paper to make your own notebook covers.

2. Choose Eco-friendly School Supplies

Another way to make sure your kid stays green while in school is by choosing eco-friendly school supplies. This includes using organic cotton lunch bags, all-natural crayons, and recycled paper products such as folders and binders instead of buying new ones each year.

Don’t forget water bottles! Using an ultra-minimal wellness tracking bottle like Day Bottle will help your kid meet their daily recommended water needs and be more mindful of the water they drink. It keeps children healthy by encouraging them not to drink soda or juice every day (and avoiding plastic bottles in the process!).

3. Buy School Outfits Made from Eco-friendly Materials 

Buying school outfits made from eco-friendly materials like organic cotton is another great way to reduce your impact on the planet. 

Organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides or fertilizers, so it won’t contaminate your home or the environment. It’s also gentle and safe for your little one’s skin since it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals that can cause irritation or allergies.

If you’re looking for school or nursery outfits that are eco-friendly and made from organic materials, look no further than Go Gently Nation. Our clothing is designed with kids in mind, and we only use the highest quality materials like organic french terry and organic cotton jersey to make our products. 

Plus, our clothing is super comfortable, machine-washable, and built to last, so you can feel good about your purchase knowing that it can also be passed down whilst retaining its quality.

SHOP ORGANIC KIDS CLOTHING

4. Pack a Waste-Free Lunch

Packing a waste-free lunch is easier than you think. Bring reusable containers for food and drinks, and pack items that don’t need to be wrapped in paper or plastic. Sandwiches, fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread, trail mix, and yogurt make great waste-free lunch items.

Also, as said above, you can reduce school waste by encouraging your kids to bring their own water bottles instead of buying disposable plastic ones from the vending machines. This not only helps them avoid extra waste from buying bottled water every day, but it saves money too.

5. Consider Walking or Biking to School

Walking or biking to school is a great way to get your kid outside and into the fresh air. It also gets them moving, which is essential for their health and development.

If you live near your child’s school, try to encourage them to walk or bike there. If your child doesn’t feel safe walking or biking alone, consider walking with them until they feel comfortable doing it by themselves.

If you don’t live close enough to walk or bike, consider carpooling with other families who have kids at the same school. This will help reduce emissions and traffic congestion in your area.

Now that you’ve learned some tips to go green this back-to-school year, it’s time to get shopping! Head over to our store and stock up on high-quality, sustainable clothing as well as back-to-school essentials for your little one. 

SHOP BACK TO SCHOOL

With our commitment to using organic cotton and recycled materials in all our products, when shopping with Go Gently Nation you can be sure your purchases have already been vetted to ensure minimal impact on both your children and our planet.