And just like that… summer winds down to a close, school supplies return to the shelves at local retailers, and routines shift to prepare for a new school year. At Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful (GC&B), we are BIG FANS of not only our Gwinnett County neighbors but also our friends at Gwinnett County Public Schools. Each year, we partner together on the Green and Healthy Schools Program, which engages the administrations, teachers, and students at 140+ schools throughout the county. Through the program, we provide integrated environmental education while incorporating applications of Science AKS, encouraging environmental problem-solving right on their campuses, fostering the development of civic skills, and laying a foundation for green career pathways. We also provide an opportunity for high school students from diverse backgrounds to participate in an environmental and sustainability service-learning and leadership development program called the Green Youth Advisory Council. GYAC participants develop leadership skills while contributing to Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful events and projects that impact local and global environmental challenges. Members act as ambassadors for our organization and serve as examples of youth service in their communities.

Beyond the school system, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful also strives to support local families of school-age children as they journey toward a new school year. To help you make the coming year green, clean, and beautiful from the start, we’ve curated a list of eco-friendly “back-to-school” tips.

Eco-Education Begins at Home

Just as you helped your child learn how to walk, use a spoon, tie their shoes, ride a bike, and so much more, YOU are the key to their first introduction and ongoing education about how to care for our environment. By pursuing eco-friendly practices at home – such as recycling, picking up litter around your neighborhood, observing water conservation measures while brushing their teeth, composting food scraps, and more – you’re laying the vital groundwork for raising a future environmental steward. 

Purchase School Supplies Made from Recycled Materials

Just as important as recycling at the curb and GC&B events, purchasing items made from recycled materials supports the complete life cycle of the recycling industry. There have been so many advances in this industry that you can find virtually everything you need made from recycled materials, including pencils, erasers, composition and spiral notebooks, folders, filler paper, and even backpacks and clothing. Make your child part of the hunt for items made from recycled materials, and be sure to explain the importance of their choices for a powerful teaching moment.

Incorporate Some “Vintage” Fashion in This Year’s School Wardrobe

You can often find current, gently worn, and occasionally even new clothing at your local thrift store. Frequently, a family will donate their children’s clothing that they’ve simply outgrown. Since many thrift stores benefit local charities, purchasing clothing to enhance your child’s wardrobe is not only an excellent lesson in the value of REUSE, but you’ll also be benefiting a nonprofit in need within your community. 

Encourage Your Child to Ride the Bus or Set Up a Carpool Schedule with Neighbors

Riding the bus is a practical way to minimize your child’s carbon footprint. It can also be a great social outlet for your child before and after school. If you’d prefer to take your child to school, set up a schedule with your neighbors to have the kids pile into a different car each day as you take turns. Rules sometimes vary from one school to the next with regard to car rider lines, so it’s wise to have your carpool group set up at the beginning of the school year to make the transfer of all the kids in your group to the corresponding cars smooth from the start. 

Nix the Unwanted Food and Single-Use Items from Your Child’s Lunchbox

For those families who pack a lunch each school day, to further reduce your child’s carbon footprint, make sure to use a reusable lunch box, storage containers, utensils, and water bottle. To minimize food waste, endeavor to only pack items you KNOW your child will want to eat. While it’s admirable to want to pack only healthy items, your child’s teacher will not be there to encourage them to eat those items, and you run the risk of them simply winding up in the trash (unless it’s a Green and Healthy School that boasts a Food Waste Warriors initiative). Promoting healthy eating is another practice that works best when started at home.

From everyone at Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, we wish all of you parents, students, teachers, administrators, coaches, counselors, bus drivers, resource officers, cafeteria workers, custodians, and more a very happy and successful new school year!