Summer is almost over, and school is right around the corner. In honor of National Back-to-School Month, we have put together a waste reduction back-to-school guide for you and your family. We know that you work hard to ensure your children have a great and productive year. When preparing your children for school this year, you can help them be good environmental stewards at the same time. Make sure to reuse and recycle as much as you can. Every little bit makes a difference in preserving our beautiful county and mother earth.
- Determine what can be used from last year
- Repair and reuse binders
- Reuse pens and pencils from last year
- Sell back books or share with younger students or children
- Repair backpacks with glue or other simple repairs
- Buy smart and buy recycled products
- Follow a classroom list to make sure to only buy what your child needs
- Purchase "green" products not sold with excess packaging
- Buy recycled pencils and reusable notebooks
- Manage electronics and batteries
- If you are replacing batteries in a laptop, cellphone or other device, bring them to one of our Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers - DO NOT put them in the trash or recycle bin
- Purchased a new laptop for your child? Recycle the old one by disposing of e-waste safely at one of our facilities
- Reduce food waste
- Send your children to school with lunch or snacks packed in reusable containers. Purchase a reusable water bottle for your child to refill throughout the day
- Encourage your children to only take what they need from the lunch line. Make sure that they recycle cans and bottles after they eat, and they dispose of them in the right bins at their school
For more information visit oclandfills.com and follow OCWR on social media @OCWaste to see more waste reduction tips.
