Going back to school with a new green style

There are some easy steps to take to help make the school year a bit more green — and to help involve the entire family in everyday green living.

Most school students in Arizona have been back in classrooms for a few weeks, while some students now barely take an extended break during June and July.

This means that much back-to-school shopping's been completed. But it's not too late to do a quick review of what's already been purchased and what clothes and school supplies your children are likely to need through this school year.

After all, while most families have reduced school spending in greater or lesser amounts, the National Retail Federation says the average cost to get an American student back to school still runs upwards of $500 per child.

Not only that, but according to the Oregon Resource Efficiency Program, it's also estimated that every American schoolchild produces as much as 240 pounds of waste every year at school. Couple that with Planet Green's note that American schools throw out about 38 tons of paper, or the equivalent of 644 trees, every year.

There's good reason for parents to teach their children three more "R's:" Reduce, reuse, recycle.

Whether or not you've purchased school supplies recently, you'll want to begin with a full review of everything you have stored and everything recently purchased. You should finish with a list of single and duplicated items.

Identify a good storage space, like a drawer, cabinet or even a small closet, for school supplies. Perhaps a space near the craft supplies would work well.

Putting all your supplies in one space will help you assess when and if additional items will need to be added. When you're ready to shop, remember you can purchase recycled or biodegradable pencils and refillable pens — and they're available at retailers like Office Max and Target.

There's more shopping to be done, since even students who wear uniforms to school crave something new for the new school year.

This might be the time to initiate a closet exchange party, or, if that doesn't result in at least one smashing new outfit or accessory, an expedition to a few of the local consignment shops that cater to children and teens.

Both Tucson and Phoenix have several resale boutiques that offer gently used jeans and denim, along with labels that offer plenty of student appeal. Teens and "tweens" can find Marc Jacobs, French Connection, True Religion, BCBG, Bebe, Diesel, American Apparel and more.

When it's time to head for school, is your student driving or taking the bus? To help reduce pollution and cut driving time, check to see what options exist for taking a bus to school. Don't forget to find out about activity buses, too, since many districts operate special buses after school hours so students can participate in sports and other activities.

If buses aren't a viable option, check to see if there are possibilities for car pools or walking pools. Parents or older siblings may be able to take turns chaperoning small groups of elementary students walking to and from school.

While you're out and about, don't forget about lunch! If your children pack lunches for school, this might be the year to switch to a lunch box instead of carrying a new brown paper bag every day.

Look for lead-free lunch boxes with reusable containers for sandwiches, snacks and desserts or cut-up fruit. Some may have built-in insulation, but you can also freeze water or juice in reusable containers to keep food cool until lunch time.

Finally, check to see if your children's schools participate in local recycling programs (many do). Some may even be available for family participation, making it even easier to recycle paper and plastics.

www.associatedcontent.com
www.planetgreen.discovery.com

Green Back to School: By the Numbers

• 49.8 million: Number of students that will attend public elementary and secondary schools.
• 6.2 million: Number of students expected to attend private school this fall.
• 3.3 million: Number of teachers employed by public school systems.
• 240: Pounds of waste generated per student each year.
• 18,760: Pounds of lunch waste created per year by one elementary school.
• 31: Percentage of kids who live less than a mile from school who walk regularly; half of those within a mile of school usually go by car.
• 60,000: Gallons of gasoline that would be saved each day if just 6 percent of those who drive less than a mile would walk instead.

National Center for Education Statistics

Fabulous Shopping for Teens and "Tweens"

Hissyfits - 7036 N. 7th St., Phoenix
Buffalo Exchange - 730 E. Missouri St., Phoenix
Buffalo Exchange - 227 W. University Dr., Tempe
Buffalo Exchange - 2001 E. Broadway, Tucson
Plato's Closet - 1964 Alma School Rd., Chandler
Sunset Clothing Exchange - 601 W. University Dr., Tempe
Tucson Thrift Shop - 319 Fourth St., Tucson
Threads & More - 2934 E. 22nd St., Tucson
Threads & More - 2239 E. Broadway Rd., Tucson
Persnickety's - 6447 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson
Speedway Outlet - 5421 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson

*Compiled for Maracay Homes

Eight Ways to Go Green (from http://earth911.com/blog/2009/)

1. Don't Overbuy
It might be exciting to enter the back-to-school section of your local retailer—so many shiny things and bright colors! But don't be tempted to buy more than you need. First, check what you already have in stock. Did your child really use all 500 sheets of paper you bought last year? Is every single pencil worn down to the nub? Did the scissors spontaneously break? Only buy what you really need for the year and the amount of "stuff" you don't bring home will be astonishing.

2. Purchase Recycled
It's unavoidable: You will have to buy some things for the upcoming school year. But instead of a regular backpack, how about one from TerraCycle made out of juice drink pouches? Or recycled pencils made from old "denim" or "newsprint"? Retailers such as Target and Office Max and brands such as Pilot and Post-It have all embraced the green trend. Just be sure to check your recycled school supplies for durability and minimal packaging.

3. Opt for Used
Nothing signals the back-to-school season more than a mountain of shiny new books, right? Not necessarily. If you're looking to reduce your waste—and the total at the bottom of your receipts—seriously consider buying used, opting for online or renting.

Used textbooks are often available for half off or more in campus bookstores, and Web sites such as eCampus and Amazon carry a broad selection of used titles. Some schools are even experimenting with online textbooks, reducing both your costs and strain on your backpack.

"Renting" books is a growing option that helps to reduce the amount of books being created. In fact, according to the Environmental Paper Network, if the U.S. reduced its paper consumption by 10 percent annually, we could save enough energy to power 228,000 homes, the carbon emissions equivalent to removing 279,000 cars from the road and 11 billion gallons of water.

4. Swap and Sell
Somehow in the last year those shorts got way too short. Every school year demands a new wardrobe, but this doesn't automatically have to mean a shopping spree at the mall. Organize a clothing swap among your friends; you can pass on those tiny shorts to another grateful parent and your child could end up with a Hannah Montana hoodie or a Transformers T-shirt.

Even if your school requires uniforms, everyone will be just as happy to trade in their old for "new." Same goes for flea markets, consignment shops and thrift stores. Someone's old skinny jeans could become your daughter's new favorite fashion statement.

Can't find the perfect look in your friend's closet? Make your own! Take one of those 30 T-shirts you have hanging up and do some DIY "re-purposing". If buying new is a must, opt for some eco-friendly options and check out clothing from "recycled goods."

5. The Wheels on the Bus…
Do you drive your children to school every day? Do you carpool? Or do they walk, ride their bikes or take the bus? To help reduce air pollution, investigate whether you live on or close to the school bus route. Even if your child stays late for music lessons or soccer club, most schools extend the bus schedule to accommodate. If the bus isn't an option, set up a carpool with your neighbors or arrange a "walkpool," chaperoning a group on foot to and from school. You'll save on gas, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, get some exercise and maybe make some new friends in the process.

Don't waste last year's unused paper! Tear it out and keep it in a folder for notes.

6. Lunchtime!
Lunch is everyone's favorite subject. But if your child is taking a brown paper bag filled with baggies or pre-packaged snacks to school every day, that adds up to a lot of trash. Invest in a "lunchbox free of lead" and, if they don't already come with it, reusable plastic containers, cloth napkins and a thermos.

Just by eliminating all that daily wasted plastic and paper, your child could save 67 pounds of garbage a year. And don't forget to lead by example and start toting your own lunchbox to work (kitschy ‘70s cartoon characters optional).

7. Do Your Part
Even if you've forgotten how to do long division, you can still teach your kids to recycle when you're not around. Inquire if your school has a recycling program, and if the answer is yes, explain to your children how to use it.

If not, ask if there are any plans to "implement a recycling program" and if you could volunteer your time to help make it happen. Organizing a compost heap in conjunction with the cafeteria or setting up paper, plastic cardboard and aluminum recycling through the school's waste hauler are good places to start.

8. Monitor Electronics
Computers, graphing calculators, printers—it seems like a lot of school supplies nowadays plug in or run on batteries. Even if your child has mastered turning the lights out when they leave a room, there are two more ways to conserve energy even when their gadgets are off. Purchase rechargeable batteries instead of new, and invest in a "Smart Power Strip."

At $30 to $40, it's a bit pricier than a typical power strip, but it's completely worth it. This strip stops drawing electricity from appliances that are turned off, meaning you don't have to remember to switch the strip on and off every time. Sounds like something that could be useful all over the house, doesn't it?