Back to School - Older, Wiser, Greener

School is back in full swing and while you may be finished with your back to school shopping, here are some tips to keep in mind all year long. Parents will spend an estimated $574 on back-to-school shopping this year (second only to the holiday season), putting consumers in a position to demand greener choices from retailers. Additionally, 91 percent of college students and 88 percent of parents state they would be likely to purchase earth-friendly products if they were readily available in local stores.

First and foremost, take inventory of what you already have. Do you really need 500 sheets of paper, 68 color pens and 12 divided notebooks? It's OK if you do (then buy recycled), but most of us tend to overbuy when we see all the new shiny gadgets and supplies. Make a list of necessities before going to the store and stick to it.

When buying supplies, look for items with the highest percentage of recycled content or ones made from recycled materials (circuit board notebook covers, backpacks made from juice boxes, etc.). Over three million tons of paper are purchased during the back-to-school season so choose chlorine free products with a high percentage of post consumer waste. More than 14 billion pencils are produced every year-enough to circle the globe 62 times! Try using refillable pencils or recycled wooden ones. Target, Office Max and Staples are all getting greener and provide recycled school supplies from brands such as Pilot and Post-It.

During the summer months, chances are pretty good that some clothing doesn't fit anymore. Every school year demands a new wardrobe but this doesn't automatically have to mean a shopping spree at the mall. Organize a clothing swap among your friends; you can pass on outgrown items to another grateful parent and your child could end up with a "new" favorite hoodie or T-shirt. Shopping the thrift stores can uncover interesting treasures as well. When buying new clothes, check for sweatshop-free labels and look for clothes and shoes made from natural fibers and dyes.

Making lunches for school every day creates an average of 67 pounds of garbage per child-or more than 18,000 pounds per school-each year. Pack lunches in reusable bags and containers complete with thermos and cloth napkin. Purchase food items in bulk and divide into portions instead of buying single serve packages. Fill reusable containers with healthy organic foods, leftovers from last night's dinner or healthy snack mixes your kids can make themselves.

When shopping for computers, small electronics or dorm room appliances, look for products featuring the Energy Star logo. Buy high-quality products that are built to last or consider used or refurbished products for additional environmental and financial savings. Don't forget to purchase recycled toners, ink cartridges and paper for the computer.

For college students, used textbooks are often available at reduced prices in campus bookstores and Web sites such as eCampus and Amazon carry a broad selection of used titles. Some schools are even experimenting with online textbooks.

Finally, encourage your child's teacher and school to implement a recycling program or organize a compost pile in conjunction with the cafeteria. Setting up recycle bins for aluminum, plastic, paper, glass and newspaper is fairly simple and inexpensive. Volunteering some time to help implement these programs is a great way to be involved with your child and provides lasting benefits within the school community.

Send comments, questions and green tips to GoGreenBF@yahoo.com.

Next week: The Trouble with E-Waste