Back to School and Zero Waste

Posted on September 20th, 2024

I sit here on a cold rainy day in September, wondering what has happened to summer. Now that the kids are back in school,  it’s the perfect time to make greener choices in all sorts of areas.

Discover all the awesome choices right here in Whatcom County at local retailers like Pumped or Living Pantry who offer items like washable beeswax food wraps, cloth napkins, reusable snack bags and utensils. These eco-friendly products help reduce waste and save you money in the long term—a win for both your finances and the planet.

Another thought around back to school consumer waste is fashion. “The apparel and footwear industry account for 6-10 percent of the global greenhouse emissions” (The Climate Action Handbook).

When considering what you will need for the new school year, be it for the kids or for yourself, consider gently used clothes from retailers like Labels Consignment or Value Village , or non-profit thrift shops like Whatcom Humane Society Thrift Shop, Assistance League Thrift Shop. If buying something new consider the lifespan of the garment you are buying. “The average number of times a garment is worn has decreased by 36% over the past 15 years” (The Climate Action Handbook).

When cleaning out your closet and getting rid of clothes you no longer wear, consider recycling them with Ridwell or donating them to Value Village, Goodwill, Ragfinery, Whatcom Humane Society Thrift Shop, or the Assistance League Thrift Shop.

It doesn’t take a lot of time to think through how you can make an environmental difference this school year – every little effort can add up to big changes! And big changes, when we all make them, lead to a healthier environment for all of us.