Is your child starting or going back to school in September?
With school rules and a growing pressure to buy trending or branded items, the average back-to-school shop can cost a shocking £300 or more! Here are some easy eco-friendly swaps you can do to make the school year more sustainable and affordable for your family.
Swap out the single-use
Instead of using plastic sandwich bags or clingfilm, why not buy a glass, bamboo or metal lunch box? Natural materials are better for your health and tend to be more hardwearing, meaning they should last for years to come, cutting out the yearly lunchbox shop. You can find some affordable ones on Amazon or at Dunelm.
The same goes for water bottles. A reusable bottle could accompany your child throughout their entire school years. Where possible, choose a metal water bottle as it will be harder wearing and dishwasher safe. However, these don’t have to be the designer Chilly’s or Stanley bottles – you can get a stylish insulated bottle for a fraction of the price at your local supermarket.
Swap out the twice-a-day school drop off and pick-up
Consider using a bus, train, bike or lift-sharing arrangement with local families. Where possible, choose a greener commute to reduce car emissions and traffic queues.
Check what your child has and use that first
Your children may have perfectly good stationery or school supplies, so check your stock before heading to the shops.
Use local or online resources, saving you lots of money
Friends and neighbours, charity shops, online forums or local Facebook groups may have exactly what you are looking for, from second-hand uniforms to school supplies, such as exam textbooks.
Before splurging £50 on brand new Inspector Calls and Macbeth, check second-hand online book shops such as World of Books or Amazon Used. You can also sign up to your local library for free – they may have the relevant books your child needs.
When it comes to stationery, opt for recycled materials
In a world full of plastic and synthetic materials, choose metal, wooden or recycled paper for supplies that are kind to the planet and are just as stylish.
Sell or donate
If your child’s old uniform and books are in good condition, drop them at a local collection point or charity shop, give them to other families, or give them away on social media on sites such as Facebook Marketplace.
Make healthy snacks and lunches
For snacks, try making your own granola bars using seasonal fruit. Try to reduce or cut out single serve fruit or snack pots, and instead buy fruit in bulk and cutting it up at home, saving you money and reducing your plastic waste.
There are plenty of easy school lunch ideas online – explore some here.
Finally, to make a lasting difference, let your child know why it is importance to make sustainably-conscious choices, and how each choice, whether positive or negative, can impact our planet.
