Green Tips: Back to School 

Going back to school is an exciting time because everything's new - teachers, fellow students, supplies. However, it's not very green to buy a whole new package of markers when last year's set works just fine. In addition to reusing old supplies, we've got a great list of ways to be as green as can be in the new school year.

• Ride your bike or walk to school.
• Use last year's school supplies.
• Buy a canvas and cardboard binders instead of plastic.
• Buy recycled paper.
• Use reusable water bottles instead of plastic.
• Use a lunch box, not paper bags.
• Donate last year's clothes instead of throwing them away.
• Buy online to avoid driving.
• Buy organic food.
• Turn your computer off when you're not using it.
• Decorate your lunchbox.
• Make your own bookmarks.
• Organize a clothes swap with your friends.
• Carpool to sports.
• Use refillable pens and pencils.
• Reuse your backpack. Decorate it with cool patches.

Text by NG Kids Staff.

The 2012 Green Schools National Conference is accepting applications for "Student Project Showcases" at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center on February 28 and February 29, 2012

Application deadline is: October 15, 2011, return via email to: briana.p.long@gmail.com 

Download application.

It's hard to imagine anything more innocuous than a lush suburban lawn. That's what 63-year-old entrepreneur Jackson Madnick used to think -- until a golf course killed his cat.

His cat, Kitty, sickened and died 14 years ago. A groundskeeper at the nearby links told Madnick that many local animals had been dying off from chemicals used to treat the grass there.

That set Madnick off on a mission to find a grass seed that grew easily without toxic chemicals. He spent nearly a decade potting and growing more than 70 different grasses on the deck behind his home in Wayland, Mass. Finally, he got results: a slow-growing, drought-resistant blend of seven grasses that needs no chemical fertilizers, little mowing and relatively no water. He named the blend Pearl's Premium, in honor of his environmentalist mother. Read more about this great product for one of Green schools business members, Pearl's Premium.

Big Yellow School Bus Grants Now Available

The MCC is proud to announce the return of the Big Yellow School Bus. This grant program is made possible with the generous support of Bank of America to help schools meet the transportation costs of educational field trips for their students to cultural institutions and events across the Commonwealth. Last year, Big Yellow School Bus grants helped to send nearly 65,000 students on almost 750 field trips to nearly 165 nonprofit cultural organizations.

The simple online application is now available.

Any Massachusetts school, K-12, is eligible for a $200 grant for the 2011-12 school year (one grant per school per year). Funding is limited, and grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Schools that received a grant last school year are eligible to apply again.

Schools should consider applying for this grant in order to attend our Annual Green Schools Summit this April...Earth Day!

1. Hair: Nope, you didn't read that wrong. Human hair is compostable and recyclable. Hair from your hairbrush or fur from your pet are full of useful nitrogen that can be thrown in the compost pile. Donating your hair could help clean up future oil spills. San Francisco nonprofit 

 Matter of Trust collects human and pet hair to create booms that soak up oil. Currently, warehouses are full, but you can be placed on the email alert list when the need arrives again.

 2. Blue Jeans: Donating jeans to Goodwill is always a great option. But if they're too raggedy, they can be recycled into cool products. Companies like Green Jeans Insulation and Bonded Logic manufacture insulation products from recycled denim and cotton fibers. Green Jeans Insulation recycles jeans into natural fiber insulation used for interior and exterior walls and ceiling applications.

3. Wine: Wine really is a zero-waste beverage. Its bottle can by recycled in a glass program, and ReCORK America has drop-off locations for corks at local Whole Foods stores. The best part is that wine itself can encourage the composting process. So, if you have any left over, toss it in the bin!

4. Cotton Swabs: Cotton is also fodder for the compost bin. Cotton balls, cotton swabs (as long as the handle is made of cardboard), lint from the dryer and even old shredded cotton and wool clothing can all go in your compost bin.

5. Crayons: National Crayon Recycle Program has diverted more than 47,000 pounds of crayons from landfills. The company has drop-off bins nationwide and a mail-back option. The program accepts unwanted and broken crayons for recycling into new crayons.

6. Surfboards:  ReSurf Recycling recycles all surfboards and surfboard manufacturing waste materials into numerous products including asphalt and concrete for paving city roads. Additionally, the company developed a method to produce 100 percent recycled yoga mats using neoprene scraps from wetsuit production.

7. Keys: We all have a drawer full of miscellaneous keys, but you don't have to toss them in the trash. They're made of valuable metal, after all. Keys For Kindness is a small, family-run program designed to raise money through metal key recycling for the Multiple Sclerosis society. The donor pays for shipping, but we're sure karma points are said donor's future.

8. Rechargeable Batteries: While nine states have passed laws banning rechargeable batteries from landfills, New York City and the state of California have passed the only laws requiring manufacturer take-back programs. This includes batteries for cell phones, laptops and other electronic devices. But if you live in an area that's not covered by this mandate, Call2Recycle is a great place to start finding a recycling location.

9. Golf Balls: Most golf balls are made in two or three parts. A two-piece ball is made of rubber and plastic, and is mostly used by the casual golfer. You can bring in golf balls to a Dixon Golf retail location or mail them in for recycling. OnlyGolfBalls.com will buy old golf balls in bulk. Also, check out LostGolfBalls.com to purchase recycled and used golf balls.

10. Trophies: Total Awards & Promotions, Inc. has a trophy recycling program to benefit charities. Through a mail-in program, the company recycles your defunct awards or re-engraves and donates them to nonprofit organizations. One of many trophy recycling programs offered nationwide, the company also manufacturers its own awards made of recycled glass and newsprint.