Falling into green living

Sending kids back to school ignites hectic schedules. From shuttling kids to after school activities, to ensuring they’ve completed their homework and have a packed lunchbox for the following day, it may seem near;y impossible to maintain the green living habits adopted over the summer.

The fall provides new ways to stay green without overwhelming already full schedules. Simply accomplish everyday tasks in an eco-friendly manner and feel good about the model you set for your family.

Eco-friendly school and office supplies

The selection of school supplies constructed with recycled materials continues to grow with each new school year. From recycled pencils and notebooks, to decorative pencil cases and book covers, read labels to identify the companies with a dedication to green products. Treat yourself to some new office supplies and show your kids that everyone must lend a hand in going green.

Compost pile

Fall storms create a sea of twigs and leaves scattered across the yard. Start a game with your kids that challenges them to collect as many items as possible. Designate an area of your yard for a compost pile where they can gather their findings. Explain that they are helping the environment and providing fuel and nourishment for the following year’s garden.

Lunch time

Packing your kid’s lunches provides multiple opportunities to remain eco-friendly. Allow your kids to purchase new lunch bags to encourage bringing school lunches from home without wasting traditional brown paper bags. In addition, pack snacks and sandwiches in toxin-free, reusable containers to cut back on waste.

Decorating

The vibrant colors of fall spark a desire to decorate your home for the season. Let your kids become a part of the fun by encouraging them to collect gorgeous leaves, acorns, and other forms of fall foliage. Pumpkin picking also provides a wonderful outing and opportunity for gathering autumn décor. Not only will this save money and storage space, but it also turns decorating into a family event.

Game day recycling

Decorate your recycling bins with team logos to encourage game day recycling. Have some fun tossing recyclable cans and containers into the bins to see who has they most accurate recycling toss.

Going green in the fall does not need to feel like another item on your to-do list. By accomplishing tasks in eco-friendly ways, invite the entire family to participate in remaining environmentally friendly no matter what the season.