Mon August 17, 2015
Original story on www.southeastgreen.com
Tips help parents and students reduce waste and save money
Clothing recycler USAgain (pronounced use-again) is offering four easy, eco-friendly tips this year to change the way parents and students approach back-to-school: Recycle, Reuse, Shop Smart and Create a Plan.
With approximately 75 million students projected to attend school in the United States this year, there is a great deal of opportunity to reduce waste this back-to-school season.
Recycle
If your children have outgrown their clothes from last fall, parents should think about the recycling bin instead of the trash can as recycling is no longer limited to just paper and plastic materials. Textile recycling has become increasingly more popular, but Americans still toss 85 percent of their unwanted clothing and shoes into the garbage, according to the U.S. EPA.
“Recycling clothing and textiles at one of the USAgain recycling bins provides these items with a valuable second life and protects the environment” said Mattias Wallander, CEO of USAgain. “Crucial landfill space is saved, greenhouse gasses are prevented, and natural resources are conserved among countless other benefits.”
Re-Use
It’s estimated that 75 percent of parents will send their children to school in new clothes. But before embarking on a shopping spree, take time to determine which items can be reused from last year. If your children have outgrown their wardrobes, see if clothes can be passed down to siblings, relatives, or friends. Additionally, backpacks and gently used school supplies can carry over.
Shop Smart
USAgain is also urging parents to shop smart when buying back-to-school materials. Shopping is stressful, but try to focus on reducing purchases and avoiding impulse decisions. The vast majority of parents buy all of their child’s school supplies before the first day of school. Waiting to purchase until your child knows exactly what he or she needs saves money and reduces waste.
Create a Plan
Back-to-school is a great time to create a plan for practicing eco-friendly habits throughout the year. Whether packing lunch in sustainable and reusable material, carpooling to school, or keeping school supplies in good condition, implementing green habits shows a commitment to preserving the environment for future generations.
Back-to-school is an exciting time full of new opportunities for students and parents to put an eco-friendly twist on the upcoming year.