Be Green for Back To School and Save $5!

Even though it is still July, we here in the Atlanta area are getting ready for back to school. I know it sounds crazy to you Northerners, and it is!

This time of year always gets me on my green high horse. It’s estimated that the average family spends close to $600 on back-to-school purchases. It’s no wonder. The amount of supplies required  (and then used little or not at all) boggles the mind–and unfortunately, fills the landfills. Teachers require specific binders, composition notebooks and spiral notebooks for some tasks that just don’t warrant it. I have so many composition notebooks that have only 10-15 pages used. To be green, I recycle the used papers and then either force my kids to use them again (writing MUSIC in permanent marker on the cover doesn’t help this cause), or I use them for business. I’ve gone to many a business meeting with a notebook that says “Ryan’s Poetry”!

So this year, take some time to sort out your current supplies (kids don’t need BRAND new colored pencils each year!), and shop wisely. If you have an older girl and younger boy, ban the pink purchases (binders, folders, staplers, book covers). I learned this the hard way. It’s hard to pass down a pink binder to a 10-yr old boy. This pre-planning is both good for your pocket book and the environment.

One easy way to be green this year is to not use disposable water bottles in the lunch box. Make sure you have enough reusable ones on hand that are easy to refill, like Reduce WaterWeek. So, in honor of back-to-school shopping, we’re offering $5 off all Reduce WaterWeek bottle sets until August 24. Type in SCHOOL at checkout. Be sure to visit our Facebook page to learn more. www.facebook.com/reduceeveryday.

Have fun shopping!

Rani Quirk

Marketing Manager, Base Brands

Add comment July 27th, 2010

Reduce WaterWeek Chosen #3 by Good Housekeeping

Wow, it’s been a hot summer. And if you live in the Northeast, record-breaking. So it’s critical to stay hydrated at all times, because dehydration can sneak up on you. Try to keep a steady intake of water too, not just before you’re going for that long bike ride at 3pm. It’s important to drink lots of water the DAY before big a outdoor activity in the heat. So, if you’re playing in the company softball tournament on Saturday, drink tons on Friday.

Our WaterWeek 5-bottle set is a great solution to help you drink more throughout the week. You always have a cold one in the fridge ready to grab and go. No need to buy wasteful disposable plastic water bottles again! The folks at Good Housekeeping agree. We were recently chosen as the third best plastic water bottle, according to their testers. We’re in good company with some top brands too. Here’s a bit from their post.

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-testing/from-the-lab-blog/best-plastic-water-bottles

The Best Plastic Water Bottles

July 9, 2010 at 8:55 AM by Paul Hope | comment

Here in New York, we’re coming off one of the hottest weeks in years. While drinking plenty of water is good advice throughout the year, it’s never more important than when you’re baking in the summer heat. Here are three great picks for reusable, BPA-free water bottles to help you quench your thirst and beat the summer heat in style.

3. Base Brands Reduce Waterweek $19.99: It’s hard to beat the price of these bottles, which work out to just under $4 each. They’re sold in sets of five with a unique plastic holder that lets you store them on the door of your fridge, so you always have a cold bottle on hand. Available in 10 designs.

Happy hydration!

Rani Quirk

Marketing Manager, Base Brands

Add comment July 12th, 2010