HeraldNet: The real green



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Eco Geek

August 27, 2008

The real green

Posted at 11:40 am

It’s consumption season!

Of course, when is it not? But as our rainy August drip, drip, drips into September, back-to-school shoppers have ever more reason to abandon the beach and hit the mall.

According to Planet Green, families will spend about $600 on back-to-school supplies this year. Much of that money will go toward throw-away items, like the 6 billion pens that end up in landfills every year.

It’s a bit disappointing when most eco-friendly tips involve just as much spending as traditional shopping lists. Chances are, if everyone followed such tips, spending would increase as buyers shell out more for soy or other eco-trendy paper, and just as much stuff would end up thrown away.

Case in point: how likely is it that a child accustomed to using half of his or her notebook on throw-away paper airplanes will suddenly conserve eco-trendy paper in the name of the latest god, Green?

Here are some truly environmentally-friendly (i.e., low or no waste) tips:

Pack sandwiches in re-usable containers instead of one-use Ziploc bags. Send cloth napkins, too. Make large pitchers of drink and decant into re-usable cups.

Bike or walk with your children to school a few days each week. Find Snohomish County bike maps here.

Organize a neighborhood clothing swap – at least for younger children who may not be as interested in shopping or wearing up-to-the-minute trends. Check Craigslist for existing swaps or to set up your own.

Ask teachers to consider creating online homework forums.

What else?

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