It’s that time of year again when you’re probably starting to think about work and school year essentials. So let's thing about being more mindful.
If your much loved backpack is falling apart or your drink bottle went walkabout, we have a great range to get you ready for the year. Whether you’re after a new backpack, coffee mug, water bottle, lunch box or some eco stationery, we’ve got you covered. Read on as we explain our top tips for going back to school that will help you start the 2019 school & work year on an eco-friendly note.
1) Reuse what you can from the previous year.
Whilst the start of a new year is a good time to replace things that went missing, broke or ran out from the previous year, we don’t want you to go out and buy things that you already have sitting at home. If your school or work essentials are still in good condition from the previous year, keep using them. A good place to start is by putting together a list of items you need and then laying out all of your existing stationery and essentials that you already have. From here, go through the list and check off what you already have and make a note of what you need to purchase.
2) Go Digital.
If you use a traditional paper diary, why not make the change and go digital with an online calendar. It’s a great way to stay on top of your appointments and assignments, and the environment will thank you for it.
The same principle also applies for senior school and university students. As textbooks are only used throughout the semester, it’s worthwhile searching to see if there is a PDF or online version of the textbook available. It’s one less thing to carry around and a lot cheaper than purchasing the physical book.
3) Focus on going plastic free for your lunches.
Preparing your lunches plastic free is a wonderful habit to get into. It can greatly reduce your consumption of single use plastic, whilst saving you money in the long run.
For waste free lunches, we have some great lunch boxes by Cheeki. They’re made from high quality stainless steel and are available in 3 differents sizes: 500ml, 1.6L and a convenient Double Stacker. They’re a great option for school lunches and are perfect for snacks, sandwiches, wraps and salads. We also have some lunch bags by PackIt. They have built-in gel freezer walls to ensure that lunches stay cool without the need for additional freezer packs.
4) Make the swap the reusable coffee cups and drink bottles
If you find yourself waiting for a freshly ground cup of coffee every morning by your local barista, it’s time to make the switch and get a reusable cup. We have a great range from Joco, KeepCup, Cheeki, RCup, Perky and Sol. It’s a wonderful habit to get into and can even save you money as some cafes give you a discount for bringing your own cup - It’s a win/win situation! The same principle also applies for water bottles. If you’re still heading to the vending machine for your plastic bottle of water - invest in a reusable one! Your office would most likely having a water filter and if they don’t ask them for one.
5) Buy Second Hand School Textbooks and Uniforms
If you’re in the market for new school uniforms and textbooks, look to see if you can find second hand ones. Most schools offer second hand uniforms that have been donated or sold back by ex-students. It also pays to ask around your local friendship circle as it’s possible they have older children who just may be the perfect fit! It’s much easier on the pocket and a great option compared to purchasing brand new every year and growing out of before the school year ends!
Textbooks are another essential that can be easily found second hand. Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace is a great place to find pre-loved textbooks for you to use, and the best thing is you can on-sell them after you no longer need them!
If you’re conscious about reducing your waste in 2019, make this the year you choose reusable alternatives for school, uni and work. You can view our entire range of back to school and work essentials online now.
