14: Zero Waste Back to School — Simple Ways to Save Money and Reduce Waste

Back-to-school doesn’t have to mean a cart full of new stuff. In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’m sharing how to get your kids ready for school without wasting money — or creating a mountain of waste.

From supplies and clothing to tech and litterless lunches, you’ll hear practical tips for:

• Starting with what you already have before buying new.
• Teaching kids the difference between needs and wants.
• Shopping secondhand first and making use of community resources.
• Tips for thrifting with and for your kids.
• Choosing durable, repairable, and refillable items when you do need to buys.
• Packing low-waste lunches (and making mornings easier in the process)!

We’ll also talk about mindset — how to push back on the marketing pressure that tells us everything “expires” every August, and instead set your family up for a school year that’s lighter on the planet and your wallet.

And stick around to the end for this week’s One Small Shift — a simple, doable way to make your child’s school year more sustainable.

Resources

How to Pack a Zero Waste School Lunch

25 Healthy Snacks for Zero Waste Lunches

Thrift Shopping for Kids

How to Stop Shopping on Amazon (And Why You Should)

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Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio

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