Top Five Back-to-School Tips

With equal parts excitement, trepidation, and anticipation, students from preschool through graduate school are headed back to the classrooms this fall. A big focus for students and families certainly will be on maintaining awareness and safety as we’re not completely out of the throes of the COVID pandemic. At the same time, we know public health is not the only issue in the hearts and minds of our youth right now. The climate crisis still looms large.

At C3 we perceive obstacles as opportunities and action as solutions. So we’ve put together this simple list of our best climate-action-oriented “Back-to-School” tips.

1- Supplies! Is new really necessary?

Before you head out to a big box store like Target or Staples, why not take inventory of what you already have? Raid last year’s backpack and the family junk drawer for things like pens, pencils, notebooks, white out, colored pencils, and highlighter pens. See what you can reuse, rather than buying new. Teri Kent, C3’s Director of Programs and Communications and founder of website resource Better World Betty, recalls the ritual of gathering existing office supplies every year. “With all due respect to teachers (I was a teacher once), I take the supply list with a grain of salt. Of course you want your children to be prepared, but you can be a Betty about it.”

If you absolutely need the 12-pack of pencils or paper, look for the highest post-consumer recycled-content paper available -- preferably with the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) label. Staples Eco-Easy line is great. Buy non-toxic products (i.e. avoid PVC (polyvinyl chloride) that can be used in some lunch boxes and backpacks). If these products put stress on your budget, buy fewer of higher quality to fit your price range. A simple note to the teacher that you're aligning your dollars with your eco-conscious values will make a positive impression.

2- Lunchtime is the Right Time for Healthier Choices for Your Kids AND the Planet

Hold up a Dasani or generic brand water bottle. Did you know that the oil needed to produce it would fill 20% of its liquid capacity? On average, Americans consume 167 disposable water bottles annually, though the majority of Americans have access to clean drinking water straight from the tap. Invest in a good reusable water bottle and pack that as a drink rather than Capri Suns, pouch and straw varieties, or plastic water bottles/beverages.

Packing lunches with whole, healthy foods and staying away from processed, pre-packaged foods reduces waste as well as the carbon footprint of your kids’ meal. You can also limit landfill trash by putting food in reusable containers or bags instead of plastic or paper. For more ideas check out www.foodprint.org!

3- Ride Sharing and No Idling Lead to Cleaner Skies and Lungs

Lower your family’s fossil fuel emissions from transportation with alternative options. Ride the bus, walk, or bike to school if possible. This year try organizing a parent carpool to and from activities to save yourself time and decrease carbon emissions.

For the parents who have their kids in before or after school sports, clubs, or activities, remember to turn off those engines to preserve the clean air on school grounds. The Department of Energy informs us that “idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and creates more CO2 than turning off and restarting your engine.” Check out the TurnItOff campaign for schools or the EPA’s toolkit for no idling at schools.

Ms. Lastinger’s class visits Delegate Rob Bell to advocate for clean energy

4- Advocate for a Brighter Future

Whether you’re a teacher, student, or parent, you can use your voice and advocate for positive change in your sphere of influence. Join C3 (see below) or check out other efforts: no idle campaign; Green Ribbon Schools; Fridays for Future. Actions can be big or small, depending on what your schedule allows. It can be as simple as encouraging your local school district to put up anti-idling signs or water refill stations in schools.

5- Partner with C3! We’re Here to Help

There are many ways to work with C3 on the sustainability and well-being of your school building and the bright young minds that reside within it!

Let us be a Guest Speaker

The staff at C3 are an engaging group of professional speakers. We can come to your classes to share careers or local youth advocacy campaigns.

Green Schools Network

If you’re a teacher, principal, or facilities director, consider joining C3’s Green Schools Network where you can gain resources and support for taking school-wide action!