Encourage your kids to REUSE last year's binders, pens, etc. or donate gently used items to those in need.  Contact your child's school to see if they can accept the gently used items. 

Look for eco-friendly, school supplies made of recycled materials, and try to find supplies with less packaging. 

And, stay away from those "trendy" items that your child will soon find "uncool."  Look for backpacks, lunch boxes and binders that won't go out of style. 

Speaking of lunch boxes, pack waste-free lunches in re-useable containers, avoiding paper bags, plastic baggies and disposable cutlery.

Back to school always means new clothes, but don't throw away those that your child has outgrown!  Donate those, too!

The City of Concord and Cabarrus County provide mixed paper recycling programs to each Cabarrus County school. Encourage your kids to participate in their school’s recycling program by placing used paper in the recycle bin in their classroom.

Teachers…invite Concord’s environmental educator, Mandy Smith-Thompson to talk with your class about water conservation, water quality, pollution, recycling or other environmental topics, and take every opportunity to incorporate environmental education into your every day lessons. Our environmental educator is always available, and happy to help! Contact Mandy Smith-Thompson at smithal@concordnc.gov or 704.920.5379.