As a kid, the end of summer is a real downer. Gone are the trips to the daily trips to the pool. No more Popsicles as a mid-morning snack because it’s already 85 degrees. Forget playing outside until 10 pm or until you can’t stand the onslaught of mosquitoes any longer. The only thing that seems to ease the pain of the 6 am wake up call, PB&J from a lunch box in a dreary cafeteria, and earlier bedtimes is the promise of new stuff: namely back to school supplies.
Sometimes more “stuff” isn’t always the best thing for the Earth or the family budget, though. Here are some ideas on how to lessen the impact on the environment and your pocketbook this fall:
1. Take inventory from last year. Dig out the backpack that still holds the 2009 yearbook (Did you “Stay sweet and have a great summer!”?), and see what other treasures lurk in the pockets. You may be able to salvage enough materials to significantly reduce the number of things on your list.
2. Buy a reusable lunch bag and packable containers. Rather than using paper sacks and Ziploc bags, buy an insulated bag and some resealable BPA-free plastic storage containers. You may not get to write “I Love You, Snookie Poo” on the outside of the lunch sack, but that’s pretty embarrassing for them anyway.
3. Hit the consignment stores for “new” school clothes. Retro is in, from 80’s style jumpers or Victorian blouses for girls, to vintage T’s or Western button-ups for boys. You can leave the shoulder-padded blazers for the landfills.
Going school shopping doesn’t have to mean spending wads of cash or “Out with the old, in with the new.” Get creative, get resourceful and get outside: there are only four weeks of summer left.
