(originally published in the KAD news 9-05)
Parents and Grandparents are frantically trying to get the kids ready to go back to school. But unlike in the past, when this meant reviews or reading lists, today it means cash, check, or charge. All of these purchases can have a negative or positive impact on the environment.
Buying a pre-packaged container of school supplies for Ms. Smith’s third-grade class at the grocery or mart may seem like the best option, but there are more eco-friendly choices. If you buy supplies at a large office supply store you can buy in bulk (great if you have more than one child), which usually entails less packaging per item, resulting in less waste. Large office supply stores also carry paper supplies made from recycled paper, while groceries and marts do not.
Charities and environmental organizations sell things on the supply list, so why not send your child to school with a Sierra Club backpack, a Ducks Unlimited pen, or pencils made from recycled newspaper? During election years, candidates sell office supplies for fundraisers (or give them away!) So why not support a candidate who agrees with your environmental stance? Earthpak sells backpacks made from recycled plastic soda bottles. Whole Foods carries these, as well as other eco-friendly options, or look them up on the web. Be creative!
New clothes for school are an old tradition taken to an extreme. If you’re still making decisions about what your child wears, take advantage of this. Would you rather send your Kindergartener to school in a T-shirt that says “Arbor Day” or “Old Navy”? Who would you rather advertise on your favorite wiggling billboard?
Jeans, a ubiquitous part of a kid’s wardrobe, are often made in sweat-shop conditions, and many of the dyes used are toxic. If you buy jeans (or any clothes) that are made in America the manufacturers have to comply with US environmental regulations, and you also ensure that the workers have fair wages and safe working conditions. “Oshkosh B’gosh” jeans and clothes are American union-made. The “No Sweat” brand (also union-made) carried by many stores includes shoes, outerwear, and casual clothes (lots of stuff teens would like.) Buying clothes made from organic cotton encourages cotton farmers to go easy on the environment.
If your child needs new shoes, consider that 70% of New Balance’s shoes (and almost all their athletic shoes) are made in USA. Birkenstock is a family-owned, non-polluting, and energy-efficient company. Timberland’s working conditions are inspected by independent auditors, and the company pays employees for 40 hours of charity work per year. Reebock has had problems in the past, but recently, vigorous internal inspections have been conducted to ensure safe and fair working conditions worldwide
When buying a computer for your child, consider that Dell is a leader in the industry when it comes to recycling. In 2004 alone they recycled over 102 tons of computer equipment and started using water-based paints in an effort to make their products more recyclable. Dell has also pledged to avoid the use of products made from clear-cut old-growth temperate rainforests, and their Dell OptiPlex GX280 chassis follows international standards to minimize or eliminate numerous chemical compounds including lead.
Who you buy from is as important as what you buy. When you buy from local manufacturers there is less pollution from transportation. Buying from small local businesses is also a good practice. While it is easier to shop at Target or Walmart, Target has been criticized in the past for discrimination and carrying goods produced using sweatshop labor, while Walmart has been sanctioned for environmental problems such as toxic emissions, and a whole catalogue of social violations including discrimination, use of sweatshop and child labor, health and safety concerns, workers’ rights violations, and union problems.
If you want to find out about a company, Responsible Shopper is a website that gives company profiles: which charities they support, and reports on their social/labor policies and environment impact.
When you support businesses that produce or sell eco-friendly products by shopping with them instead of a competitor, you give them the ability and encouragement to continue making responsible choices. Remember you vote with your money—give it to businesses that share your values and concerns.
