If you’re heading back to school or college this month, or preparing your children to go back to the classroom, our round up of green back to school tips will help you make this academic year your most ethical yet.

- How can you reduce the local and global impact of the way you travel to school? Could you start by walking, cycling or taking the bus just one day a week, instead of going by car? Then try to increase the number of ‘green days’ every month, reducing your carbon footprint.

- It’s easy to get into the habit of buying everything new each time you go back to school. Have a good clear out and dig out all the half-used notebooks and pens. You could make scraps of blank paper into a whole new book or recycle old notes and reuse the folders, decorating them with spare stickers or wrapping paper.

- When you do need to buy new, choose eco-friendly school supplies like recycled paper, folders made from cardboard instead of plastic, or pencil cases and bags made from reused plastic.

- One of the biggest back to school expenses is often clothing. So save money and reduce your environmental impact by buying second-hand. Find out if there’s a local uniform exchange for your school or ask around about hand-me-downs from older children!

- Make a back to school pledge to eat green – and we don’t just mean spinach! Your lunchbox is a great place to start trying to reduce your environmental impact. Use a refillable drinks container instead of plastic bottles or cartons, use reusable sandwich wrappings instead of clingfilm or foil, ditch the plastic cutlery and try to pack locally-sourced food.

September 2, 2011 | Filed under English, Environment, We've been inspired by, Workplace.