Sustainably Back to School
A classroom. Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash.
Backpacks are filled, pencils are sharpened, and the obligatory "my first day of" pictures are taken. It can all only mean one thing - school is back! Keep Knoxville Beautiful is excited to help students, parents/guardians, and teachers incorporate sustainable practices as they start this new school year.
Use what you already have.
Before you head to the store for back to school shopping, shop what you already have. Do you still have empty notebooks and sharp pencils? Are your backpacks still sturdy and functional? No need to buy new if you already have what you need! It is always a good idea to do an inventory of what you have before buying things - this will not only help your back-to-school shopping be low waste, but it will also save you money!
Shop secondhand.
School supplies. Photo by Laura Rivera on Unsplash.
For the things that you don't have, check out second hand stores before buying new. Check out local thrift stores for school supplies, books, and new-to-you clothes.
Eco friendly lunches.
When packing lunch, use reusable containers, silverware, and lunch boxes to decrease your waste. For food, go for items with minimal packaging like fruits and vegetables. If purchasing your lunch, make sure to recycle and compost if this is available at your school.
Getting to school.
How do you get to school? Do you take the bus, a car, walk, bike? School buses are a great option, since they are essentially mass transit for kids! If you take a car or drive to school, are there other students in your neighborhood that you could ride with? This will reduce emissions in the car rider line, as well as be a time saver for the adults transporting the students. If you live close enough to your school to walk or bike, then that is the best option! Not only is it eco-friendly, but it allows you to get some exercise before a long day in the classroom.
Join an environmental club.
Webb Environmental Club. Photo by KKB.
Many schools have environmental clubs that focus on recycling initiatives, litter cleanups, and beautifying their campus. If your school doesn't have one, connect with a science teacher and start one! An easy way to get started is by organizing a litter cleanup with other interested students through Keep Knoxville Beautiful.
College dorm coordination.
For college students, if you are moving into a dorm with roommates, connect with your roommates ahead of time to coordinate who is bringing what. Can you share items like dishes, silverware, pots, and pans? Can you coordinate who buys cleaning supplies, decor, a trash can, or a mini fridge? Work together with your roommates so that your dorm room can be a low waste space! Also for UT students, check out the UT Office of Sustainability for tips and resources on how to be sustainable on campus!