As the next generation becomes more eco-conscious, the classroom presents an ideal place to encourage and inspire more sustainable thinking. By choosing responsibly sourced and manufactured classroom resources – from pens and notebooks to technology, we can nurture conscious learning and help lead a positive change for the future.
We asked Kirsten Hayward, Category Manager – Education, to share six simple tips for creating a more sustainable classroom.
1. Power your keyboard with solar technology.
If you’re looking to move away from 100% lithium battery and plastic keyboards, consider adopting new solar technology such as the Targus® Sustainable Energy Harvesting EcoSmart™ keyboard.
It combines Bluetooth® and advanced solar technologies with post-consumer recycled materials to embody sustainability in the classroom, while delivering a comfortable typing experience. It even has antimicrobial protection to inhibit microorganism growth throughout the product’s entire lifespan, ensuring a cleaner surface.
“It’s primarily powered by solar cells that harvest light from a variety of light conditions, including indoor lighting. It’s a winning combination that offers ultra-low power consumption, multi-device connectivity and easy plug-and play compatibility,” explains Kirsten.
2. Bamboo wipes for a quick and efficient clean-up.
In busy classrooms and staffrooms, spills and dirt are a daily occurrence. Envirostar Bamboo Wipes Blue Roll 85 are made from fast regrowing bamboo, pulped into a durable fibre.
“These bamboo wipes are highly absorbent and washable for re-use where possible. Being 100% biodegradable, they break down naturally after disposal. They also come in plastic-free packaging, helping to reduce plastic use,” shared Kirsten.
3. Unleash a burst of colour in the classroom with sustainable pens.
When it comes to art and craft or general handwriting activities in the classroom, children love adding personality to their work with coloured pens. Over time, this can lead to a high turnover of classroom supplies, creating more waste.
To help reduce waste, consider the Staedtler® Noris® cup of 50 pens. They are made from 97% recycled plastic. They also feature DRY SAFE technology, meaning accidentally uncapped pens can last for days without drying out.
“Available in 10 colours, these water-based ink pens easily wash out from most fabrics,” advises Kirsten.
4. Elevate your classroom whiteboard lessons.
Whiteboard markers play an essential role in delivering daily lesson plans, but they need to be replaced frequently when they run out or dry up.
The Pilot Begreen V Board Whiteboard Marker Chisel 2.2-5.2mm Black Box 10 is a refillable whiteboard marker that features a medium tip, designed for precise and vibrant writing. Its innovative Twin Pipe Feed system delivers a consistent ink flow right to the very last drop. It’s a more sustainable option too, with the markers barrel and cap crafted from 91% recycled materials.
“These whiteboard markers offer 10 metres of visibility, helping students in the classroom clearly see what’s written on the board, while also reducing waste by using refills instead of buying new markers,” explains Kirsten.
5. Make your textbooks and workbooks last longer.
While the school year starts off with fresh textbooks and workbooks, they can quickly become damaged with rips, tears or accidental spills, requiring replacement or worse, resulting in lost content!
The Raeco Bioguard 80® biodegradable adhesive book covering is a fully biodegradable option that only begins to break down under specific anaerobic-digestion conditions like darkness with moisture, and the presence of micro-organisms, such as those found in landfills or composts.
“This adhesive book covering is acid-free and has a glossy finish, helping to keep workbooks looking pristine all year,” advises Kirsten.
6. Dispose of e-waste thoughtfully.
As classroom learning incorporates digital learning aspects, it’s important to consider the disposal of e-waste components such as laptop batteries. Incorrect disposing of e-waste can have devastating environmental effects, such as polluting our soil and water. In Australia alone, e-waste is responsible for 70% of toxic chemicals. And electronic waste1 is growing at three times the rate of any other waste stream.
“Let’s encourage responsible e-waste disposal by working with local councils or e-waste drop-off centres to minimise the risk unnecessary environmental damage,” advises Kirsten.
Don’t just encourage sustainability, lead by example in the classroom. Do the right thing by the planet by choosing from some of our favourite sustainable options here.
References:
