If They Can Walk Safely, Let Them

Kids who can walk to school gain an academic edge. Walking gives their brains an oxygen boost, improving their ability to focus. Not ready to let them walk by themselves? Could they walk with a parent, even one way, and ride the bus the other way? Or consider creating a "walking school bus," wherein neighbor parents take turns escorting kids to school, a la carpools.

If They Can't Walk, Let Them Ride the Bus

Consider letting your kids ride the bus as often as extra curricular activities allow. They'll get to hang out more with friends. You'll cut your carbon footprint and help your kids to learn to be responsible for staying on schedule. Older kids can ride TARC for at discounted fares.

Turn Off Your Engine When Waiting in Line

If you need to drive your kids to and from school, please turn off your engine as you wait in line to drop them off or pick them up. You'll save money and wear-and-tear on your engine, and your kids will breathe cleaner air. Learn more about cleaner air at schools, here.

Stick to the School's List

It seems you can't do back-to-school shopping without seeing a little kid crying or a teenager sulking over not getting something they want. We won't pretend to know how to avoid that unhappiness. But we know that sticking to the school's list helps, saves money and keeps unneeded stuff out of the landfill. Have a gently used backpack, outgrown school uniforms, etc.? Donate them to a school's family resource center for another child.

Avoid Plastic and Single-Use Disposables

Choose wooden pencils or refillable mechanical pencils over single-use mechanical pencils. Buy pencils made in the US to avoid the loss of rainforests in Brazil, China, Indonesia and other tropical nations. Choose pens that can be refilled with new cartridges. Get more waste reduction tips.

Buy Recycled Paper and Notebooks

School paper and notebooks often are made of fresh tree pulp or, worse, pulp from rainforest trees. Like pencils, try to avoid paper from Brazil, China, Indonesia and other tropical nations. Try to buy paper made of recycled paper, especially post-consumer paper. Select folders, binders and notebook without plastic.

Buy Art Supplies Made With Solar Power

Choose crayons made in US factories that are powered by the sun, such as this Crayola product. Buy sustainably-sourced colored pencils, ideally not from Brazil, China, Indonesia and other tropical locations. Buy plastic markers only if required by your child's school.

Avoid Single-Use Lunch Packaging

If your kids are packing their lunches, pack them in reusable lunch boxes or bags, sandwich boxes and leak-proof containers for fruit salads, soup or whatever. If they outgrow a lunch box, offer it to the school family resource center. Get more waste reduction tips.

Tips for Dorm Dwelling Students

Even when you're living away from home, there are still lots of ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Explore LCAN's Energy Efficiency Tips for Dorm Dwellers.