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 encourage mindful learning and help lead positive change for the future.
We asked Kirsten Hayward, Category Director of Education, to share six simple tips for creating a more sustainable classroom.
1. Power your keyboard with solar technology.
If you want to move away from 100% lithium battery and plastic keyboards, consider adopting new solar technology like 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 providing a comfortable writing experience. It even has antimicrobial protection to inhibit the growth of microorganisms throughout the life of the product, ensuring a cleaner surface.
“It’s powered primarily by solar cells that harvest light from various light conditions, including indoor lighting. It’s a winning combination that offers very low power consumption, multi-device connectivity, and easy plug-and-play compatibility,” explains Kirsten.
2. Bamboo wipes for quick and efficient cleaning.
In busy classrooms and staff lounges, spills and dirt are a daily occurrence. Envirostar Blue Roll 85 Bamboo Wipes are made from fast-growing bamboo, stripped into a durable fiber.
“These bamboo wipes are highly absorbent and washable so you can reuse them whenever possible. Being 100% biodegradable, they break down naturally after disposal. They also come in plastic-free packaging, which helps reduce plastic use,” shared Kirsten.
3. Highlight an explosion of color in the classroom with sustainable pens.
When it comes to arts and crafts or handwriting activities in the classroom, kids love to add personality to their work with colored pens. Over time, this can lead to a high turnover of classroom supplies, creating more waste.
To help reduce waste, consider the Staedtler® Noris® 50 Pen Cup. They are made with 97% recycled plastic. They also feature DRY SAFE technology, which means accidentally uncapped pens can last for days without drying out.
“Available in 10 colors, these water-based ink pens wash easily from most fabrics,” advises Kirsten.
4. Increase classroom blackboard lessons.
Whiteboard markers play an essential role in delivering daily lesson plans, but they need to be replaced frequently when they wear out or dry out.
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 offers a constant flow of ink down to the last drop. It’s also a more sustainable option, with the barrel and lid of the markers made from 91% recycled materials.
“These whiteboard markers offer 10 meters of visibility, helping students in the classroom clearly see what’s written on the board, while reducing waste by using refills instead of buying new markers,” explains Kirsten.
5. Make your textbooks and workbooks last longer.
Although the school year starts with new textbooks and workbooks, they can quickly become damaged with accidental tears, tears, or spills, requiring replacement, or worse, losing content!
Raeco Bioguard 80® Biodegradable Adhesive Book Cover is a fully biodegradable option that only begins to decompose under specific conditions of anaerobic digestion, such as darkness with moisture and the presence of microorganisms, such as those found in landfills or composts.
“This adhesive book cover is acid-free and has a glossy finish, helping to keep workbooks looking pristine all year round,” advises Kirsten.
6. Dispose of electronic waste carefully.
As classroom learning incorporates aspects of digital learning, it is important to consider the disposal of e-waste components such as laptop batteries. Improper disposal 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 e-waste1 is growing at three times the rate of any other waste stream.
“We will encourage responsible e-waste disposal by working with councils or e-waste collection centers to minimize the risk of unnecessary environmental damage,” advises Kirsten.
Don’t just encourage sustainability, lead by example in the classroom. Do the right thing for the planet by choosing some of our favorite sustainable options here.