This is the second in a series of posts on greening your back-to-school routine. This week I’m focusing on a more eco-conscious back-to-school clothes-shopping trip. The most eco-friendly back to school clothes are those that are reused. We all have kids and we know how quickly they grow. Depending on the kid, you can have some nearly new hand-me downs that have a full second life of use in them. Outfitting your child in hand-me downs from big sis is not only environmentally friendly it is also pocketbook friendly.
If you don’t have an older sibling, cousin, or family friend that can pass on her gently used clothing to your school-aged child, then the next best bet is to head to the local thrift or consignment clothing store. If you’ve never been to one and you’re concerned about quality and style, let me assure you that you can find the latest brands and styles in excellent (and sometimes new) condition at deeply discounted prices.
If you’re still not sold on reusing clothing then you can still make greener choices. Organic clothing has grown in popularity and can be found in retail stores across the nation. However, I encourage you to go beyond what the material is made of but to also look at how it is processed and even the environmental record of the brand. Sweatshop-free clothing is a must but also look at mom-made clothing. There are some really cute moms selling back-to-school fashions on Etsy.com.
Try handmade organic cotton kids clothing for back-to-school.
Thankfully it is easier to research a company’s environmental record today than it was even a few short years ago. Most major companies, including clothing companies, post an annual sustainability report on their website. You can also use third-party sources like Green America’s National Green Pages to scout out your favorite brands.
As the school year begins to ramp up, I encourage you to look beyond recycled school supplies and focus on other ways to green your back-to-school routine. Future articles in this series will include an update on our waste-free school lunch journey, green transportation, and even environmental education options.
Photo: humboldthead/Flickr
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Love the idea of buying mom-made back to school clothes. Probably can’t afford to do that for the whole wardrobe but maybe an item or two is in order. Most of our fall season clothes will come from second hand stores or the cousins!