FACTSHEET

Sept. 4, 2010

Ministry of Education

 

BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

 

At School:

 

·         Encourage children to use refillable bottles at school, instead of relying on bottled water.

·         Help your children to become active in an existing recycling club at school or to start one themselves.

·         When shopping for school supplies, buy products that are reusable or have recyclable packaging, and reuse leftover school supplies from last year.

·         Produce waste-free lunches for your children by sending food in reusable containers and bags, and by avoiding pre-packaged and processed foods.

 

At Home:

 

·         Clean waxed paper, plastic bags and tinfoil can be reused several times, and instead of including pre-packaged drinks in school lunches, a small thermos of cold milk or juice will cut down on unnecessary packaging.

·         Buy good-quality, long-lasting products that can be handed down to younger children.

·         Use cold water when washing clothing.

·         Encourage children to take shorter showers, using a restricted-flow shower head.

·         Turn off taps when brushing their teeth instead of wasting water.

·         Turn off lights, electronic devices and computers when not in use.

 

On the Road:

 

·         Walk or cycle with your children to school, instead of driving, to reduce vehicle emissions.

·         Join an existing Walking School Bus or Bicycle Train in your neighbourhood to get your children safely to school, or co-ordinate your own.

·         Encourage your children to take public transit to school as often as possible or arrange a neighbourhood carpool.

·         Join a car-sharing co-operative for school commutes instead of owning a car.

·         If you must drive children to school, incorporate short-distance errands in the trip.

·         Maintain proper tire inflation, check your tires weekly, and schedule regular maintenance checks for your car.

 

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This factsheet is available in French at:

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/news/docs/2010/tips-environment_fr.pdf

 

 

In Chinese at:

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/news/docs/2010/tips-environment_ch.pdf

 

In Punjabi at:

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/news/docs/2010/tips-environment_pu.pdf

 

Media Contact:

Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Education 250 356-5963

 

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