Republic Services, a waste services organization, is encouraging parents, teachers and administrators to incorporate sustainable practices whenever possible with several back to school tips.
“Environmental responsibility is not always top of mind when preparing to go back to school,” said Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability. “When you incorporate one sustainable practice into your daily routine, you can make a lasting environmental impact. Back to school is the perfect time to start adopting better habits you and your whole family can practice.”
Republic suggests students should make a list before shopping for school supplies to limit impulse buying, sort through old supplies to see if they can be reused or repurposed and purchase supplies made from recycled or reused products. The organization also believes students should bring drinks to school in thermos or reusable water bottles and always make sure recyclables are empty, clean and dry before being tossed into a recycling bin.
Additionally, republic encourages students to work with administrators and teachers to start a recycling program at school.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), food waste is the second largest category of municipal solid waste and is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Republic suggests families should incorporate sustainable practices at home and at school to limit food waste. Republic’s "Blue Planet" initiative is an approach to corporate social responsibility through the practices and programs outlined in its Sustainability Report.
Republic Services Inc. is a U.S. recycling / non-Hazardous solid waste organization focused on providing solutions to make proper waste disposal easier for its 14 million customers. For more information, visit www.republicservices.com.
