Eco-conscious education: Steps for parents to take
School is back in session, and it's time to stock up on supplies. But what if you could make your child's school year a little greener? The German Environmental and Nature Conservation Association (BUND) has some suggestions for sustainable and eco-friendly school equipment.
First and foremost, consider the ecological and health aspects of your purchases. Opt for recycled paper and stationery made from sustainable materials, such as wood from certified sustainably managed forests or recycled plastics. Refillable pens and pencils are also a great choice, as they reduce waste from disposable ones.
Plastic-free or biodegradable school supplies, including rulers, erasers, and pencil cases, are another eco-friendly option. By choosing these products, you can help reduce plastic waste and promote a healthier environment for your child and future generations.
But sustainability doesn't stop with your purchases. BUND recommends repairing and reusing school items instead of buying new ones to minimize resource consumption. You can also support local and environmentally certified brands to reduce your carbon footprint and promote responsible production.
Waste sorting and recycling programs within schools are another important aspect of a sustainable school start. By promoting these programs, you can help ensure that materials are managed sustainably from the start of the school year.
BUND also suggests broader strategies for more sustainable school beginnings, such as organizing swap events where students exchange still usable school supplies, and integrating environmental education to increase awareness among pupils about sustainable consumption practices.
In addition to BUND's recommendations, there are other eco-friendly school supply options to consider. For example, lunch boxes are a more sustainable alternative to aluminum foil. Staying in touch with other parents can facilitate exchanging or passing on unused school materials.
ToxFox, a BUND app, allows you to scan barcodes to check for hormone-active substances in school supplies. This can help you identify products that contain problematic substances and make more informed purchasing decisions. Recognized environmental and quality labels like the Blue Angel or EU Ecolabel indicate emission-free and eco-friendly products.
Notebooks made from recycled paper are another eco-friendly choice. A simple metal sharpener is also hard to beat in terms of environmental friendliness. And don't forget about reusing materials from the previous year for non-first-graders to contribute to a more sustainable school start.
By following these guidelines, you can help promote sustainability when purchasing school supplies and make a positive impact on the environment. So why not make this school year a little greener?
- Embracing environmental science principles, opt for notebooks made from recycled paper and stationery products that originate from sustainably managed forests or recycled materials for a greener school year.
- Incorporate sustainable living practices by using refillable pens, pencils, and plastic-free or biodegradable school supplies to reduce waste and protect the climate-change-impacted environment.
- To further promote a sustainable lifestyle at home and in the garden, consider lunch boxes and metal sharpeners as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional school supplies, and support local, environmentally certified brands to minimize your carbon footprint.
