Becky Wike: Back to School Tips

This back-to-school season, I'd like to replace "reading, writing and 'rithmetic," the three Rs, with a new set of Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle.

According to the National Retail Federation, parents and students spend more than $40 billion on back-to-school and back-to-college clothing, electronics, home furnishings and other stuff. This time of year is second only to the December holidays for consumer spending, so I thought it would be a great time to keep an eye on consumption and how it affects the world's people and natural resources.

The good news is that students are some of the most ardent advocates for the environment and social equity. As a large segment of consumers, their dollars can really make a difference.

A poll conducted for the Center for the New American Dream found that eight in 10 college students have purchased environmentally friendly or fair trade products in the past year. And the same number is willing to spend extra money for products produced by companies that pay workers good wages and provide desirable working conditions.

So here are a few tips from the Center for the New American Dream and SF Environment to help you save money and natural resources when shopping for school: * Before heading out to shop, take a look at last year's backpack, calculator, notebooks, pens and pencils, and then re-use if possible; *Avoid unnecessary packaging, including the cup and lid you buy your morning - or midnight - coffee in. Excess packaging ends up in our streets, streams and landfills. Buy a reusable travel mug or canteen to carry with you on campus; * Look for products made from recycled materials.

Visit www.shopbacktoschool.org for more environmentally and socially conscious product information and for a virtual green dorm room tour. If you don't find recycled materials at your local store, make a suggestion to the store manager;

* While searching for a new laptop or other electronics, look for the "Energy Star" label. Also remember that many manufacturers offer refurbished computers at a fraction of the cost of new machines - warranties included. And if you're ready to recycle your old cell phone, computer or other electronic devices, visit www.sfenvironment.com for free drop-off sites around the City;

* When shopping for clothes, check labels for sweatshop free and organic cotton. Each T-shirt made from 100 percent organic cotton saves one-third of a pound of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Another option for saving money and natural resources is to buy clothing from San Francisco's abundant second-hand stores; *A final tip for the parents subsidizing these shopping trips: Don't lose hope.

According the National Retail Federation, the average college senior will spend much less on school supplies ($425.23) than the average freshman ($1,205.97). That is, until they move back home. Becky Wike is environmental education coordinator for SF Environment's school education program. She assists schools with implementing Food to Flowers! a lunchroom composting program.

Learn more about how SF Environment is protecting and preserving San Francisco's environmental well-being at www.sfenvironment.com, visit the EcoCenter at 11 Grove St. or call (415) 355-3700.