Back to School Challenge

By Mallika Shah: National Outreach Co-Director at the tomorrow project

We can all agree that this year’s back to school will be unlike any other. If you’re like me, the first day of school will include a computer on a desk with my teacher and classmates speaking through a pixelated screen. But there is one constant - Back to School supplies! I’m sure if you’ve entered Target or Staples anytime recently you’ve seen the signs. But before you go rushing to the stores, I want to ask you this question. Do you really need another set of pencils, erasers, pens, a binder and notebooks? I’ll admit, there are times when I truly do need new school supplies. However, is it necessary to buy brand new materials each year? 

Statistics show that each household spends an average of $789.49 for back-to-school shopping. For most of these families, their current school supplies are still in working condition, yet they continue to shop. The consumption of new materials then leads to the throwing out of old - yet possibly still functioning - supplies. Our landfills then become populated with trash that is still usable, which not only takes up space, but begins to emit harmful chemicals into the atmosphere as well. So I encourage you to get up with me right now, set a 10 minute timer, and scrounge through your house. Find all the school supplies you still have, stack them in a pile, and let’s see what we can reuse! I know every time I do this I’m surprised by how many supplies I can carry over through the next year. 

Try out this 10-minute challenge and if you find yourself reusing a lot of school materials, reach out to your friends and have them do it with you! 

Sources consulted: 

https://nrf.com/insights/holiday-and-seasonal-trends/back-school