From the EAC: Plastic-Free Back To School
Here are five tips from BeyondPlastics.org for starting the school year with as little plastic and waste as possible:
1. Invest in Reusable Foodware For Plastic-Free, Zero-Waste Snacks and Lunches and Drinks.
Swap out single use plastic water bottles with stainless steel water bottles. Carry reusable cutlery sets instead of using plastic utensils. Metal snack and sandwich containers, fabric sandwich envelopes or beeswax wraps can replace plastic baggies.
2. Buy In Bulk, Bring Your Own Containers and Shop Local
When it’s time to fill your reusable lunch and snack containers, minimize waste, avoid plastic and support your community.
3. Check Your Office, Shelves, Desk, and Closet for School Supplies Before You Buy
While you may need to purchase some of your child’s class supply list, there’s a good chance that you already have items on the supply list somewhere in your house.
4. Get New (To You) Clothes By Buying Secondhand
Save money and help decrease the troubling impacts of “fast fashion” and over-consumption.
5. Use This As An Opportunity To Educate Your Child
This is a great opportunity to get your kid thinking about how their own choices can make an impact and begin to cultivate a mindset of refusing single-use and embracing environmental sustainability.
For more details, go to Plastic Free Back To School
Contact the Environmental Advisory Council at WhitpainEAC@gmail.com.