Back to School Shopping

Over 5 million Canadian children are getting ready to go back to school. This year, you can reduce the impact your back-to-school shopping has on the environment by making a few smart choices.

REUSE
Reusing items is the best way to minimize the impact of your day-to-day life. Send your kids to school with a reusable lunchbox and a water bottle. 

REDUCE
The best way to save energy and money is to not buy anything. Reduce the amount of new items you're buying this year. Take an inventory of the school supplies you already have on hand from last year and make sure not to waste money on new items that you don't need.

RECYCLE
We all know it's important to recycle paper and plastic items but you can also help drive demand for recycled goods by purchasing items that contain a high level of post-consumer materials. It's easy to find great eco friendly goods- check out Ecojot a Canadian company whose journals are made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste. As a bonus, Ecojot also donates a schoolbook to a child in need for the sale of each jumbo journal. Now that's some back-to-school shopping you can feel good about! 

Have a Better Barbecue

Summer and barbecues go hand in hand. But, did you know that your backyard barbecue can cause harmful carbon emissions? Especially when it is used improperly or with outdated equipment.  Below, find our top tips for having an eco-friendly barbecue.  

Find a fresh fuel
New fuels can reduce your harmful emissions and maybe even make your food cook better. For charcoal grills, look for organic or natural lump brands. Liquid petroleum gas is an even better alternative as it emits one hundred times less CO₂ than the average charcoal briquette. Avoid lighter fluids and self-lighting charcoals, as these fuels release chemicals into the atmosphere.  

Cut your cooking time
Reduce the amount of time you are burning fuel. Don’t preheat too long. Most grills only take five or ten minutes to warm up. Keep track of time and conserve your fuel and energy.

Clean your grill regularly
A clean grill means less smoke and less pollution. Use an all-natural grill cleaner green to scrub down your grill when the party is over.

Don't do disposable 
We all know it's tempting but don't create waste by using disposable dishes. Use reusable cutlery and washable cloths instead of napkins. If you must use paper plates, look for biodegradable or  recycled eco-friendly options.

Follow these tips and have a great summer! Happy Grilling!