How We’re Helping the Environment this School Year

There are many things that you can do to help reduce your environmental impact during the school year, and beyond. Today we’re sharing 5 ways that we’re helping the environment this school year, including an exciting new partnership between Babybel and TerraCycle!

How We’re Helping the Environment this School Year

Getting Outdoors

The first step is creating children that care for the environment is getting outside and connecting them with nature. If they have a connection with the environment, then they are more likely to care for it. Whether it is a hike on a local trail, a trip to the beach or even a picnic in your local green space, getting outside will help to solidify that connection and, overall, help to protect the environment. Remember, this doesn’t need to stop when the school year ends - it’s important to get outside all times of there year. Especially as there are proven physical and mental health benefits to getting outdoors as well. 

Pack Litter-less Lunches

On average, a school-age child with a disposable lunch generates about 30 kg of waste per school year. That’s more than my kindergartener weighs! It also means that if there are 25 students in a class, they are producing 737 kg of waste each year. And that number only gets bigger as you look at the rest of the school, and beyond. 

By taking a litter-less lunch, you produce 89 per cent less waste. Not to mention, litter-less lunches also often mean healthier (think fresh cut fruits and veggies) and saving money.

Use Reusable

A big part of going litter-less is using reusable containers for lunch, such as bento boxes, bamboo utensils and refillable water bottles. Ditch the single use plastics.

This school year, another thing that you can include in your child’s backpack that is reusable are fabric masks.

Support Local

By supporting local you are not only helping to boot the local economy, but you are also reducing the distance that many products need to travel. Products that travel greater distances to reach consumers may not be as fresh, and contribute to greater carbon emissions from the vehicles they are travelling. Opt for locally grown, raised and produced products, such as fruits, veggies and meat.

Recycle

Reducing the amount of litter you create is extremely important, but so is recycling those materials that are recyclable. Oftentimes, what can be recycled may differ between providers and cities, so be sure to check with your local municipality to see what can be recycled in your home.

In addition to curbside recycling, take advantage of alternative recycling programs, like TerraCycle!

Babybel has partnered with TerraCycle to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Now, all Babybel packaging (for all the different varieties and formats), such as cellophane, tag, net, metal clasps, wax, and plastic wrappers can be recycled! This partnership is Babybel’s first step towards becoming more environmentally-friendly. 

Participating is simple and free,

1. Start by signing up for TerraCycle’s free recycling program.
2. Keep all the nets, tags, metal clasps, cellophane wrappings and wax in a box.
3. Once your box is full, seal it tightly, print a prepaid label and mail your recyclables to TerraCycle for free.
4. For every box of recyclable material that you mail, you will earn points that can be converted into donations to the charitable organization of your choice.

What happens to the materials, you ask? The cellophane, nets and tags are used to make other plastic items. The metal clasps are separated from the tags and then melted to make joints, nuts and bolts. After being melted and filtered to remove any impurities, the wax can be used to make new candles.

It really is simple to do - we keep a reusable container on the counter, and whenever we eat a Babybel, instead of going into the trash, we put the packaging into the container. Once it is full, we follow the steps above and send it off the TerraCycle to be recycled.

By recycling your Babybel packaging, you are not only doing a positive action for the planet, but you are also giving back to charity. Recycling is an easy choice to make a positive change in the world we live in.

Remember - caring for the environment doesn’t stop when the school year ends! These steps can be followed at all times of the year to ensure we all do our part to help take care of the environment.

What actions do you take to consume less, recycle and be more environmentally-friendly? I’d love to hear!

*Disclosure: I have participated in a paid partnership with Babybel. Opinions in this post are not my own.

Tips for Preparing Your Child for Back-to-School in a COVID-World

Next week, our oldest heads off to kindergarten. And in the world that we currently live in, I would be lying if I said I wasn't just a little bit stressed.

Starting "big kid school" alone is enough of a worry for parents - how will my child do, will my child make friends, will they miss me, and so on and so on, are all valid questions on our mind. Truth is, I don't feel prepared. BUT add on a global pandemic, potential exposure, new health and safety policies and procedures, wearing a mask all day, etc. etc., and things get a bit more worrisome.

(^^ How was that one year ago already?! ^^)

The past few weeks I've spent a lot of time talking with other family members, parent friends and teacher friends to learn how they're feeling about sending their kids back to school, and the techniques they're applying to ensure a smooth transition.

Here are some of the things I learned, straight from the mouths of parents and teachers.

Side note: I understand that school has already started for some and for us in Toronto, is quickly approaching next week. However, it doesn't help to apply these tips anyways. 

Tips for Preparing Your Child for Back-to-School in a COVID-World

1. If your child is not used to wearing a mask, get them used to it as soon as possible.  Start in small increments (5-10min) and gradually build up.  Perhaps you can put a mask on their favourite stuffy to "normalize" it a bit more.  

*I know that school starts next week for us here in Toronto, and it may be too late to apply this tip. However, if you live outside of Toronto and masks are not mandatory in your child's school, it may not hurt to start applying this tip in the evening, just in case. 

2. If you are out shopping with your child, be intentional about showing them the signs and stickers on the floor which point out directions and the need for proper social distancing and what that looks like. 

3. For lunch or snack times, pack a tea towel or cloth in their bag for them to use as a placemat.

4. Make sure to pack a spoon and/or fork for your child to use so that they are limiting the need to put their hands in their mouths-especially for fruit which can be very sticky. 

5. Make sure that your child can open and close all of her/his containers,packages or thermos meals. 

6. Start practicing with your child how to zip up/button clothing and make sure to send your child to school with velcro shoes. Laces will not be tied up.👟

7. Start practicing a hand washing routine and how to do so properly (between the fingers, wrists, back of the hand). Same with sanitizing.  Do it multiple times in the am and pm.  

8. Talk to your child about how to behave in the bathroom at school.  It's not a place to play. Do your business and get out. And stay off the floor. 

9. Have a safety plan. If you are working and receive a call from the school that your child is ill, is there someone who can pick them up?  What protocols does your place of work have for parents who need to pick up a sick child?  

10. Invest in good outerwear for your child-rain boots, raincoat with a hood, snow pants and jacket, warm mittens and hats. This year students will be spending A LOT of time outdoors-rain or shine. 

Check out some of our favourite back-to-school gear for outdoor play, here.

 

11. Remember to pack an indoor pair of running shoes for the first day of school so that soiled outdoor shoes remain out of the classroom area.  Children will need a set of clothes to remain at school in case of spills or bathroom accidents. 

12. Label everything-masks, clothes, masks, water bottles etc. Mabel's Labels are durable labels that can get wet and won't wear off. We buy the Ultimate Back-to-School combo which includes 40 small rectangle labels, 70 Tag Mates stick on clothing labels and 16 shoe labels. 

Additional tip: If you have multiple children, order labels with your last name instead of the child's first name. This makes it easier if they share belongings. 

13. Invest in a breakaway lanyard or fanny pack for your child to place their mask when not in use. (We used this breakaway lanyard and this fanny pack - both Canadian small shops.)

14. Practice having your child apply sunscreen.  In the past we have helped apply it, but will be unable to do so this year.  Show them what an appropriate amount is and important places it needs to be applied.  

15. Ensure your child drinks enough water to stay hydrated. Talk about the importance of drinking water, and how it can help to keep them healthy. (This is our favourite reusable water bottle for kids.)

16. Pack extra masks in your child's backpack, just in case. Place them in a clean resealable sandwich bag. Also have an extra bag on hand for soiled masks. 

17. Have conversations. Having open, age-appropriate conversations with your children will help them know they are not alone, that we do not have all the answers, that flexibility is very important and that parents, teachers, doctors, etc. are doing everything possible to ensure their health and safety.

18. After spending many long months at home, children may feel nervous about going back to school and being apart from family members. There's a strong possibility of separation anxiety. Have conversations about going back to school and try to develop tools for your child to feel connected to home, such as notes in their lunchbox, or a family photo they can bring to school.

19. While visiting the interior of the school may not be allowed, take a walk through the outdoor yard. Show your child where they will enter, where you'll pick them up at the end of the day and where they will play outdoors. Children (especially kindergarteners) are creatures of habit, so walking them through where they will spend their time may make them feel more at ease. 

20. Remember, we're all in this together. Talk with your children and help them understand that anyone can get the virus, no matter where they are from in the world. We all must do our part to keep ourselves, family, friends and others safe and healthy. 

Keep in mind - these tips can be applied to children of all ages and are not restricted solely to those entering kindergarten. Practicing proper hygiene and health and safety procedures is important for everyone, regardless of your age. 

Do you have any tips and tricks for preparing your child for back-to-school in a COVID-world? I'd love to hear!

For those that have already started school, did you apply any of these tips? And did you find they were effective? Please share!

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