Whether you’re getting ready for school yourself, getting someone else ready for school, or just taking care of your own end-of-summer shopping, there are ways that you can reduce your waste, improve our environment, and save money, too.
• Plan ahead and make a list. Check to see what you have on hand. After that, make a list of what you really need.
• Reuse what you already own. Check closets for forgotten tote bags, backpacks, lunch boxes, and refillable containers. Go through last year’s supplies to find the basics: scissors, rulers, binders, etc. Many items can be reused from year to year. Remember—reusing your own stuff is also cheaper and less stressful than hitting the stores.
• When you do go shopping, browse reused first. Look for used clothes, shoes, appliances, books, toys, games, office supplies, and household goods online, at garage sales, or at resale shops.
• Buy recycled by picking up recycled-content paper, pens, pencils, scissors, rulers, file folders, binders, storage containers, and jewelry.
• Purchase refilled or remanufactured inkjet cartridges for your printers. Or, buy a refilling kit and do it yourself.
Credit: Christopher Bernard | iStock | Getty Images Plus
