15 Practical Ways to Make the School Year More Sustainable
Simple, actionable eco-friendly tips for students, parents, and schools to reduce environmental impact all year long.
With each new school year, students and families have a chance to make choices that support a healthier planet. From waste-free lunches to efficient school supplies, every small step counts towards a more sustainable future. This guide explores 15 actionable strategies for making school life more environmentally friendly—without sacrificing convenience or educational success. Whether you’re a student, parent, or educator, these suggestions will help you reduce your carbon footprint and inspire green habits all year long.
1. Rethink School Supplies
Each autumn, millions of students head back to class equipped with brand new folders, pens, and notebooks. However, many standard school supplies are made of single-use plastics and are often not recycled. Try these greener approaches:
- Reuse whenever possible: Check what was left over from last year before buying new. Use up old notebooks before starting fresh ones and reuse sturdy pencil cases, binders, and backpacks.
- Choose recycled and eco-friendly products: Look for notebooks with recycled paper, refillable pens, and supplies made from sustainable materials like bamboo or recycled plastics.
- Buy in bulk or with less packaging: Select products packaged minimally or in bulk to reduce plastic waste and avoid single-use wrapping.
- Opt for quality over quantity: A well-made backpack or lunchbox may last several years, keeping both waste and long-term costs down.
2. Go for Waste-Free Lunches
Packing a green lunch is a powerful way to cut back on daily waste. Brown bags and plastic sandwich bags can pile up quickly—switch to more sustainable alternatives:
- Use reusable containers: Stainless steel, BPA-free plastic, or glass containers keep food fresh and eliminate the need for disposable bags.
- Try beeswax wraps: A natural alternative to plastic wrap, beeswax wraps are washable and compostable.
- Invest in a durable lunchbox and drink bottle: Choose items that last several years. Stainless steel water bottles are a particularly eco-friendly option.
- Pack real utensils and napkins: Reusable metal or bamboo cutlery and washable cloth napkins prevent single-use waste each day.
- Shop local and in-season: When possible, include fruits and veggies from local farms or markets to reduce transportation emissions.
3. Choose Greener Backpacks and Bags
A backpack is a student’s constant companion—but not all are created with the environment in mind. Consider these tips:
- Repair instead of replace: Mend broken zippers or torn straps to extend a bag’s life.
- Select backpacks made from eco-materials: Look for brands using recycled polyester, organic cotton, or other reclaimed fabrics.
- Pass it on: Donate outgrown or unused bags to local donation centers or offer them to others in your community.
4. Opt for Digital When Possible
From e-books to digital assignments, the shift to paperless learning can dramatically cut down on paper waste and clutter. Tips include:
- Use electronic note-taking or calendars: Reduce need for physical planners, sticky notes, and looseleaf paper.
- Consider digital textbooks and handouts: Many schools offer e-textbooks or online resources—these save trees and often lighten the load, too.
- Save and store documents in the cloud: Avoid printing unless absolutely necessary, and make full use of cloud services for storing essays, projects, and reference materials.
5. Make Eco-Friendly Commutes
Transportation to and from school is a major contributor to carbon emissions. Help reduce your impact by thinking green on the go:
- Walk or bike to school: If available and safe, these are the healthiest and most sustainable options.
- Use public transportation: Buses and trains move more students with less fuel per person than private cars.
- Organize a carpool: Set up carpools with friends and neighbors to reduce the number of vehicles on the road each day.
- Advocate for safe routes: If your area is lacking bike lanes or safe pedestrian paths, work with local groups or school leadership to campaign for improvements.
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6. Support Green School Initiatives
Many schools are launching sustainability programs to create a greener campus and encourage lifelong eco-friendly habits. Get involved by:
- Joining or forming an eco-club: Student groups can organize clean-ups, recycling drives, and awareness campaigns.
- Advocating for recycling bins and composting: Proper disposal options make waste reduction easier for everyone.
- Encouraging energy conservation: Get students and staff to turn off lights, unplug electronics, and use natural light when possible.
7. Green Your Study Space
A sustainable school year starts at home. Setting up an eco-friendly study area is easy and effective:
- Lighting: Use LED bulbs and take advantage of daylight to reduce electricity usage.
- Furniture: Furnish your study area with upcycled or second-hand desks and chairs instead of new ones.
- Air quality: Add houseplants for better indoor air—it’s good for concentration, too!
8. Mind Your Printing
Printed assignments and notes can add up to a huge pile of paper waste by June. Encouraging mindful printing habits makes a big difference:
- Print only what you need: Read or review documents online first when possible.
- Use both sides of the paper: Set up printers and copiers to default to double-sided printing.
- Recycle used paper: Make scrap paper pads from single-sided sheets and always recycle rather than trashing printed materials.
- Choose recycled printer paper: Buy recycled-content paper for home and classroom use.
9. Adopt Energy-Saving Habits
From the classroom to the dorm room, energy conservation really adds up across a school community. Try these:
- Power down electronics: Unplug devices when not in use or over school breaks to prevent energy vampires.
- Turn off lights: Make it a class or household rule to flip the switch when leaving a room.
- Use natural ventilation: Open windows instead of always relying on air conditioning.
10. Choose Sustainable Electronics
Devices are essential to modern learning, but they can have heavy environmental costs. Make smarter choices by:
- Buying refurbished or secondhand electronics: Give a second life to laptops, tablets, or phones—often at a lower price.
- Recycling old electronics properly: Never toss e-waste in the trash. Use your school or community’s approved collection points.
- Looking for energy-efficient devices: Check for Energy Star ratings or other sustainability certifications when buying new.
11. Dress Sustainably for School
Back-to-school shopping often increases demand for fast fashion, which is resource-intensive and polluting. Dress smarter by:
- Choosing quality and durability: Buy fewer but better-made clothes that last longer and resist trends that fade fast.
- Shopping secondhand: Thrift stores and clothing swaps can yield stylish, unique finds without new manufacturing impact.
- Washing with care: Wash cold and air dry when possible to reduce energy use, and wash full loads to save water.
12. Create a Culture of Reusing and Sharing
Building a sharing culture at home and at school cuts down on consumption and creates community. Ideas include:
- Organizing school supply swaps: Exchange gently used items with classmates rather than buying new each year.
- Sharing books: Set up a class or school book-exchange to maximize the use and lifespan of textbooks, novels, and reference materials.
- Borrowing instead of buying: Use the local library for both required and leisure reading.
13. Incorporate Nature into Learning
Getting outside isn’t just good for health—it helps develop an environmental mindset. Encourage lessons or activities beyond four walls:
- Outdoor classrooms: Move lessons outside when possible, or participate in class gardening projects.
- Field trips to natural sites: Plan visits to parks, nature centers, or sustainable farms to spark appreciation and understanding.
- Bring nature into the classroom: Houseplants, aquariums, or butterfly gardens engage curiosity and foster responsibility.
14. Waste Less, Compost More
Food waste is a significant part of school garbage. Strategies to make lunch hour less wasteful:
- Compost leftovers: Advocate for a composting program at your school or compost at home.
- Educate on portion sizes: Take what you’ll eat to cut back on uneaten food.
- Pack snacks mindfully: Choose foods with less processing and packaging.
15. Set Green Goals for the Year
Changing habits is easier together. Set specific sustainability goals as a student, class, or school community:
- Hold eco-challenges: Compete to reduce waste, walk or cycle more days, or complete the most recycling in a month.
- Track your progress: Use digital tools, wall charts, or checklists to keep motivation high—and celebrate small victories.
- Involve everyone: Invite teachers, staff, and families to participate, creating a wider impact and lasting results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What small change makes the biggest difference at school?
A: Reducing single-use plastics in lunches and supplies can have a major impact, as those are some of the most commonly discarded items in schools.
Q: Are digital devices really more sustainable than paper?
A: Digital devices save paper but have their own environmental footprint in production and energy use, so it’s best to use both mindfully—choose devices with long lifespans and recycle properly.
Q: How can I get my school interested in sustainability?
A: Start small with a club or challenge, share information with school leadership, and look for local or national programs you can join for support and inspiration.
Q: Is buying new eco-friendly products always better?
A: Often, using what you already have or sourcing secondhand is greener than buying new, even if the product is labeled eco-friendly. Prioritize reduce and reuse before buying new items.
Q: What can families do together to support a green school year?
A: Families can coordinate carpools, choose sustainable supplies, pack waste-free lunches, and make pledges together for greener daily habits, setting a powerful example for students.
References
- https://shortyawards.com/5th-socialgood/treehugger
- https://hechingerreport.org/this-california-high-school-includes-sustainability-and-green-jobs-in-its-curriculum/
- https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/op-ed-treehugger-nature-based-curricula-stockholm50-report/
- https://www.treehuggerpod.com/episodes/climate-ready-forests
- https://forests.org/wp-content/uploads/Treehugger_2019_Jul_08.pdf
- https://www.illinoistimes.com/arts-culture/confessions-of-a-literal-tree-hugger-11450507/
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