Yes, don’t be in denial, summer is almost over, and school is right around the corner! No more sleeping in, going to the beach or just hanging around.

It’s time to prepare the kids for going back to school and get everything ready

And this year there's one more thing to prepare for the safety of your kids: the mask. We are living different times and so we need to take different measures. 

 And this is also the perfect time to educate your kids on how to be more eco-friendly because we all know that instilling good habits is easiest when we’re young.

To make your life easier, we’ve come up with eight eco-friendly tips for kids going back to school.

1 – Make an inventory of supplies first

 Before you go shopping for anything, make an inventory of what you have at home.

If you have supplies that are still usable but are not suitable for the new school year, donate them to the local library, non-profit organization or school. Do the same with old clothes from the kids.

2 - Reuse whatever you can

Just because it is a new school year, it doesn’t mean that you need to buy all new school supplies.

Backpacks, pencil boxes, and other supplies can be reused from last year without buying brand new.

3 – Buy used or recycled supplies 

Nowadays you can buy used or refurbished material in excellent condition. Everything from clothes to backpacks and even computers can be bought second-hand.

School supplies made from recycled material are also available.

4 – Pack waste-free lunches

Make sure your kids always take lunch from home and include reusable utensils and containers instead of disposable ones that will end up in the trash.

Never forget to pack a reusable water bottle instead of plastic bottles.

5 – Teach your kids how to take care of their things

If you teach your kids how to take good care of their clothes, backpacks and supplies, they will last longer.

Also, remember to label your child’s belongings to help prevent them from getting lost.

6 – Use less paper

Normally kids bring home a lot of papers from school. Before tossing it in the recycling bin, use both sides of the paper for scratch, drawings, or notes.

Encourage the school to use digital copies instead of printing whenever possible.

7 –  Opt for a reusable mask

We are living strange times, and because of that, we need to add a new accessory to our daily outfits: the mask.

Kids are no different, and for their protection, it's important that they take a mask for school.

However, to reduce the environmental impact, opt for a reusable mask. At NÜWA we have reusable masks that can take up to 25 wash cycles.

8 – Encourage nature time for your kids

We know that is likely that kids will have homework to do after school.

But this doesn’t mean they shouldn’t spend some time in nature. Getting out and spending time surrounded by nature is beneficial to their health and well-being. So, be sure to fit in some outdoor time between school, homework and bedtime. Your kids will thank you for it!

While you need to take action to help your kids be more eco-friendly, it is equally as important for kids to develop their own sustainable habits.

You need to set a good example, then explain them why you are doing that.

Your job is to teach your kids the importance of being sustainable, making better and greener choices and doing what’s right for the planet.