With the school year kicking in soon, the time has come to complete the costly task of back-to-school shopping. Kate ‘Ethically Kate’ Hall has a few tips on picking sustainable options that could save you some money.  

 
Start at Home  
  
Use unfinished exercise books by removing used pages and calling it new.  Deep clean old lunch boxes, sharpen short pencils, and repair cracked rulers.  Embrace resourcefulness - clever parenting and saves money!  

 
  
Treasure Hunt for Supplies  
  
Before you visit a store, turn finding existing school supplies into a fun game with the kids. Ask school leaver families if they have leftover supplies, or share your extras with others.

  
  
Shop Second-Hand  
  
Explore second-hand stores for pens, pencils, books, and folders. Unique and vintage stationery can often be found here. Shop at places like All Heart Store who have high-quality second-hand stationery and office supplies - second hand and supporting an amazing charity.  

Ditch the Plastic  
  
Avoid plastic adhesive covers; try reusable options like DIY fabric covers.  

Opt for Sustainable lunchware  
  
Invest in eco-friendly options like Bento Ninja’s stainless steel lunch boxes with dividers to minimize single-use packaging.  

Challenge the “New Only” mentality 

Push back against the stigma around second-hand school supplies – value doesn’t decrease with use.  Cover books with fun, second-hand fabric and embrace vintage stationery for a unique touch. 

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