to test your child's lunchbox for lead, find alternatives to vinyl lunchboxes, and join the campaign to stop the manufacture of toxic lunchboxes.
- Healthy Lunches - Get ideas for packing your own healthy lunches from Chef Ann at www.lunchlessons.org or transform the school lunch offered at your school with the Rethinking School Lunch guide from ecoliteracy.org.
- Avoid PVC Plastic - Many Glad (TM) products are made with polypropylene and are PVC-free, including Glad bags, Gladware reusable containers, and Glad plastic wrap. Avoid #3 plastics.
4. Check that your School has a Wellness Policy
the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, Congress required that all school districts with
federally-funded school meals programs develop and implement wellness
policies that address nutrition and physical activity by the start of
the 2006-2007 school year. Ask
your principal if your school district has adopted the required
policy. Find out if the policy promotes nutrition and physical
activity as described by National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity. Click here for model school wellness policies that promote children’s health and well-being.
5. Start a Green School Program at Your School
There's always room for improvement! You can catalyze and support green programs at your school in a variety of ways. Kids love the opportunity to be leaders as they produce tangible results at their schools by reducing, recycling, reusing, composting and building their problem-solving skills. Many “green” schools have reported that their environmental programs have strengthened their school community in unpredictable ways, while creating a healthier environment.
Learn about ways to empower your kids and your school to make a difference:
- Green Schools Initiative Take Action Page - Tips for passing a school board resolution, and 7 Steps to a Green School, can help you get started.
- Check out the many state green schools programs and networks on our Resources page under Green School Programs. Our movement is growing!
- National PTA has a position on School Modernization and Environmental Health and provides tips and resources for ensuring safe and healthy school facilities.
- Green Purchasing Policies - Pass an environmentally friendly-purchasing policy at your school with ideas and sample policies from our Buying Guide. Also see Responsible Purchasing Network and model policies.