It’s that time of year again, as we say goodbye to summer and head back to school. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as we start off this new school year for a more sustainable start that will save you money in the long run, leave a better impact on our planet, and inspire your community to follow your footsteps in a sustainable direction. Check out all the tips below:
Rethink your School Supplies
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Reuse supplies from last year.
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Shop your local thrift store for gently used school supplies.
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Purchase earth-friendly supplies such as refillable pens and items that will last for several years.
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Exchange excess supplies with friends or classmates.
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Look for recycled paper products for filler paper, binders, notebooks, composition books, construction paper and sketch pads.
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Refill cleaning supplies, soaps and other eco-friendly essentials at your nearest bulk-refill shop
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Haleʻiwa - Shop our mission-aligned storefront, the Kōkua General Store!
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Kaimukī - Keep it Simple
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Kailua - Protea
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Pack a Waste-Free Lunch
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Use reusable containers and utensils like these planetbox lunch boxes, currently for sale in the Kōkua General Store.
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Enjoy whole fruits and vegetables without packaging, even better if they are locally sourced!
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Check out our Healthy & Waste-Free Lunches Resources Guide for more information.
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Bonus: create a Vermicompost system to compost fruit and vegetable scraps in your classroom.
Get Involved in Greening Your School!
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Start a Garden Club if you donʻt have one already, see our How-To Start a Garden Club Resource Sheet for quick guide and starting activity ideas.
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Start a recycling program and/or plan a waste audit of your cafeteria, if you are at a school on Oʻahu that isn’t already participating in the 3Rs School Program, register here.
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Check out our blog here on to see the 2022-2023 3Rs School Recycling Drive schedule and find a drive near you!
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Utilize our Plastic Free Hawaiʻi (PFH) program resources and incorporate interactive lessons on plastic pollution! This PFH activity examines if different types of plastic sink or float, and allows students to critically think about the impact that plastics have once they enter the ocean.
Green Fundraising Ideas for Schools
Learn how to profit from healthy and environmentally friendly fundraising activities. Here are a few of our favorites:
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Recycling Drive
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School Swap Meet
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Student Farmers’ Market
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Locally Grown Flower & Plant Sale
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Vermicast Sales
For the entire Green Fundraising Ideas for Schools Resource Guide go to www.kokuahawaiifoundation.org/resources