Shop Smart this School Year
Back-to-school often means back to stores, too – to buy new clothes, electronics and, of course, school supplies. Did you know that you can save money and reduce the impact on the environment in your back-to-school shopping?
Thinking green will probably save you some “green” too, and you’ll start off the new school year with a few extra dollars in your pocket. It’s also a good idea to check with your teacher or school to see if they provide guidance on certain materials.
Consider using these ideas and items as you make that shopping list of back-to-school supplies:
- Leftover school supplies from last year, including backpacks, paper, pencils/pens, rulers, notebooks and other items – or trade with your family and friends!
- Solar powered calculator
- Manual pencil sharpener
- Paper notebooks and filler paper made from recycled paper
- Backpacks made from recycled plastic
- Reusable lunchboxes and food storage containers made from recycled plastic
- Reusable water bottles and snack bags
Did You Know?
Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $864 on school items this year, according to the National Retail Federation.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
