Busting Common Myths About E-Waste
Summer is officially over, which means kids all over the world are returning to school and parents are on the hunt for school supplies. Families with children in elementary through high school spend an average of $864 on school supplies, and that cost has risen $168 since 2019. On top of typical school supplies, some schools require students to have access to tablets or laptops or other electronics to finish homework and projects. Upgrading electronics to keep up with this digital age only increases this annual cost.
With the rising cost of school supplies, electronics on top of gas and food prices, these back to school tips are eco friendly and will also prove cost effective in the long run.
- As tempting as it is to purchase brand new supplies, it’s much more efficient to reuse as many supplies as possible, not to mention cost effective. Reusing older supplies such as pencils, pens, notebooks and even clothes helps reduce the use of the earth’s precious resources.
- Sometimes life isn’t so simple. Kids grow, pencils break, and notebooks are destroyed by the end of the year. If it is necessary to purchase new supplies, consider purchasing supplies made from recycled materials. Instead of plastic water bottles and plastic or brown paper bags for lunches, invest in reusable cups and lunchboxes.
- For high school and college students, a new school year may also mean new electronics. Upgrading smartphones and laptops has become a yearly routine for some, and it’s important to consider an environmentally friendly disposition method. Instead of throwing out your old electronics, consider recycling them or passing them down to someone in need. In this digital age, there’s never a shortage of people in need of electronics, and more companies are developing repair and resale programs.
- If you live close to school, walking can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Carpooling or riding the bus also helps reduce the toxins we release into the air.
- Last, recycle everything you can. With the growing global waste crisis it is becoming more critical to close the loop and dispose of our waste in environmentally friendly methods.
Back to school shopping doesn’t have to be a nightmare, it can even provide supplies to those in need. By reusing old supplies, using alternatives to plastic bottles and paper bags, and recycling everything you use we can help bring the world closer to a more sustainable future one school year at a time.
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