Gearing Up for School - To Buy or Not to Buy?

Posted On: Aug 01, 09


Warm weather, farm fresh fruit, iced beverages, and the sounds of children running about all day are sure indicators that it has been a great summer! As the end of our great summer adventures merge with the start of a new school year, families are gearing their children up for their new learning experiences. Back-to-School shopping is a ritual ripe for reconsideration. We can send our children off to school with supplies that keep them and our world safe and healthy by brushing up on our purchase choices.  Steer clear from advertisements pushing new versions of the same product you have from last year. Here are some thoughts for making your back to-to-school experience as sustainable as it is educational:

  • You may not need to buy at all. Consider just how much new stuff you really need to buy, chances are it’s less than you think!  Reuse supplies from previous years, or find a new purpose for something old. New American Dream offers a Back to School Reality Check that can help you assess your needs.
  • Check your local thrift store or other sources for recycled items.
  • If you buy, buy smart. Be a Conscious Consumer by eliminating hazardous products and replacing them with healthier alternatives. Also check out the Green School Buying Guide offered by the Green Schools Initiative.
  • New or used, beware of products made from soft vinyl plastics (PVC), including notebooks, pencil cases, backpacks, and lunchboxes. The production of PVC involves the use of cancer-causing chemicals that contaminate the air and water of surrounding communities.  These harmful chemicals include phthalates, lead, and cadmium which may be toxic to your child’s health. Check out The Center for Health, Environment, and Justice’s (CHEJ) downloadable PDF* Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies *This is the newest version posted by CHEJ, 8.4.09
  • Test for lead in lunchboxes. The Center for Environmental Health offers some helpful tips to Test for Lead.
  • Bottle your child’s daily beverage in stainless steel water bottles or BPA-free containers. Bisphenol-A or BPA can leach out of materials that contain it and is an endocrine disruptor. Visit our Plastic Free Hale’iwa sourcelist for ideas.
  • Avoid disposable supplies and look for sustainable options like refillable pens, rechargeable batteries, dispenser-less tape, and similar items.
  • Buy in bulk to save money and choose products that use the least amount of packaging.




Attention Hawai’i DOE teachers! Funds available for Environmental Education Field Trips and Mini-Grants now.  The application deadline for the 2009-2010 school year is March 31, 2010.