Making “Back to School” a Green Experience
Whether it’s smart consumer choices when shopping or educational resources on environmental topics for teachers to incorporate into their school planning, EPA has created a list of helpful tips and topics that can help students, parents, and teachers be more environmentally aware and efficient as everyone heads back to the classroom. Here are just a few suggestions…
- For every 42 notebooks made with 100 percent recycled paper, one tree is saved. Find more green Back to School shopping tips to help protect the environment.
- 30 percent of all waste generated comes from packaging. Many supplies can be reused or recycled such as pens and notebooks. What’s your Quest for Less this school year?
- Every year in America, 10.5 million school days are missed due to asthma. Work with your child’s doctor to create a written Asthma Action Plan for managing your child’s asthma and share it with your school.
- Raise a flag for air quality awareness. Download the Air Quality Index app on to your mobile device and start a School Flag Program.
- American schools spend $6 billion each year on energy, more than what is spent on textbooks and computers combined. Teach kids to be Energy Stars by becoming more energy efficient!
- Teachers: when cleaning the classroom look for the DfE label on cleaning supplies to find safer products for students and the environment.
- Test your WaterSense: leaks can account for 10,000 gallons of water on average wasted in the home every year, which is enough to fill a backyard swimming pool. Learn the simple steps you can take to save water and money at home and school.
- Teachers and Parents: looking for more environmental activities to do with your students? Visit our Student Resource Center.
Visit http://www.epa.gov/students/school.html for these tips and more information.
