How to Make Back-to-School Shopping Sustainable?

Let’s be honest: back-to-school shopping can feel overwhelming. Every year, there’s a list of pens, pencils, binders, notebooks, markers, glue sticks, and more notebooks that you need to buy. Somehow, you end up going on a shopping spree and buy 3 rolls of glitter tape and 5 different colours of highlighters. (No judgement, I’ve been there plenty of times). You can get caught up in the excitement of new supplies and a new school year. But often, by the end of the year, you’re left with a lot of unused items.

Lately, I’ve been thinking more about how we approach the back-to-school season. It’s not just about school supplies but also our values that mirror how we want to move through the world. This could mean thinking about the environmental footprint of all those shiny new pens and notebooks.

Here’s what I’ve learned (and what I wish I’d known sooner): being eco-friendly doesn’t mean being perfect and it definitely doesn’t mean you can’t have nice things. It just means making smarter and often simpler choices.

1. Use What You Already Have First

Start by dumping out your “junk drawer,” the one with paper clips, half-used notebooks, old erasers, and mystery markers. I know you’ll find at least three items you can easily reuse. Last year’s barely-touched sketchbook? Still good. That “lost” pair of scissors? Still have it. Ruler? Found it in the back.

Kids do not always need to feel prepared; they just want to feel ready. So you can make this task fun and turn it into a mini arts-and-crafts project to personalize their old supplies. They can decorate old recycled notebook covers with magazine cutouts.

2. Look for Recycled or Refillable Options for Supplies

When you do need new stuff, look for recycled paper notebooks, refillable pens, and sturdy folders that won’t fall apart after a week. Here are a few swaps that really make a difference:

• Recycled notebooks: They are as good as standard options and have a smaller carbon footprint.
• Mechanical or sustainable wood pencils: It’ll be even better if they’re unpainted or made from reclaimed wood.
• Refillable pens & highlighters: You won’t need to throw them away just because they’re out of ink.
• Paper, not plastic folders: You can also invest in a couple of heavy-duty reusable ones and label them clearly.
• Glue sticks & markers: Some brands offer low-toxicity and even compostable options.

Think about what you really need versus what you actually use. That way, you can easily make your back-to-school shopping more sustainable!

3. Rethink Lunch Gear

School lunch gear adds up with all of the plastic cutlery, juice boxes, and disposable sandwich bags. A few changes make a big difference:

• A stainless steel or BPA-free reusable water bottle: You can use it everywhere, not just at school.
• Washable snack bags instead of ziplocks: They come in different colours and cute designs. Plus, they’re easy to rinse out.
• A solid lunchbox with compartments: Less packaging means less mess.
• Cloth napkins: Just throw them in with the laundry and reuse all week.

These small changes help students cut down on landfill waste every day.

4. Spread the Word

Other than repurposing old items and shopping for more sustainable supplies, there are other ways to make the back-to-school season more eco-friendly!

• Support Eco-Friendly Brands: Many brands offer sustainable school products. You can order online or shop in-person. By supporting them, you’re creating more demand for eco-friendly items and putting pressure on companies to deliver. EarthHero and ZeroWasteStore are two great examples to check out.
• Educate: Teach people around you about why sustainability is important and how to be more sustainable. By spreading the message, more schools, companies, and organizations will adopt eco-friendly practices.

Conclusion

Although most of us are not zero-waste heroes, we can still change our daily habits. This back-to-school season, let’s be more careful and reduce waste. Whether you’re reusing last year’s binder or trying a sustainable school supply brand, just know that it matters, and makes a difference.

At Green Schools Green Future (GSGF), we are building our first green school in Ontario to educate kids about sustainable living. They will learn key skills, such as growing produce and reducing waste. Our schools will be made with eco-friendly materials and powered by renewable energy sources. By donating, you will help our future generations protect our planet for a better future!

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