Going to school for the first time or going back to school is an exciting time when students of all ages head to classes after a break. It’s about meeting friends, getting new supplies, and starting fresh with new subjects, classes and activities.

Managing the Cost

It’s a time of learning, growth, and getting back into routines, with both challenges and fun ahead. It’s also a time when students can reuse notebooks, pens, backpacks, tablets, laptops and more. This saves time, money, reduces waste, and helps protect our planet.

A recent Competition and Consumer Protection Commission survey of 1,202 parents and guardians of primary and secondary school children has revealed the back-to-school costs facing families across the country. Take a look!

Going back to school a costly time for families, and maybe a time to consider reuse; which reduces spending, clutter and waste while encouraging eco-friendly behaviour at home and in school.

You will find tips below which can help!

Here are 31 simple back-to-school saving tips that focus on reuse and recycling:

1. Reuse last year’s school bag if it’s still in good condition.
2. Clean and reuse lunchboxes and water bottles.
3. Check if uniforms still fit before buying new ones.
4. Swap school uniforms with other families.
5. Reuse old stationery like pens, pencils, and rulers.
6. Repurpose used copybooks with blank pages.
7. Use recycled paper for notes and rough work.
8. Repair torn clothes instead of replacing them.
9. Donate or sell school items your child no longer needs.
10. Use reusable sandwich wraps instead of cling film.
11. Print on both sides of paper.
12. Buy refillable pens and markers.
13. Shop at charity shops for school supplies or clothes.
14. Buy second-hand schoolbooks where possible.
15. Cover books with reused paper or leftover wrapping paper.
16. Turn old t-shirts into gym bags or pencil cases.
17. Save and reuse last year’s art supplies.
18. Label all items to avoid losing and replacing them.
19. Use leftover supplies before buying more.
20. Reuse last year’s school calendar or planner if pages are left.
21. Encourage kids to take care of their belongings.
22. Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones in lunchboxes.
23. Pass down school supplies between siblings.
24. Decorate and personalize old items to give them new life.
25. Store supplies properly so they last longer.
26. Create a “supply swap” event with other families.
27. Donate gently used items to schools or charities.
28. Choose eco-friendly, recyclable school products.
29. Recycle broken electronics or batteries properly.
30. Reuse boxes or containers for organizing supplies.
31. Keep a reuse drawer for extras like erasers, rulers, and notebooks.

These small actions can add up to make a big difference!

Give It A Go!

Family, children and students can all try the reduce, reuse and recycle mantra to help protect the environment, save resources, and minimize waste. These actions reduce pollution, conserve energy, and help create a sustainable future.

By practicing these habits early in life, students can make a positive impact on their communities and learn the importance of responsible living.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is a not-for-profit, social enterprise working to deliver environmentally friendly recycling solutions and real training and employment opportunities.

Recycle IT operates under the Community Services Programme (CSP). The programme supports community companies and co-operatives to deliver local social, economic, and environmental services that disadvantaged communities. The Community Services Programme is managed for the Department of Rural and Community Development by Pobal, a not-for-profit company tasked with managing programmes on behalf of the Irish Government and the EU. Recycle IT is one of over 400 social enterprises operating with funding support from the programme in Ireland.

This Free Mattress Recycling Initiative is supported by: South Dublin County Council and operated by Recycle IT for a limited period.

Learn more @ www.recycleit.ie