August is always a bitter sweet month, you look forward to those hot summer days, but also know that the new school year is just around the corner.  Back to School is one of the most uneco friendly times of year. The desire of new and fresh can outweigh being environmentally friendly and thinking of how we can lessen the impact on the planet.

One of the best ways to make something old new again is to have an Eco Swap! It’s super easy! It’s almost like a garage sale but instead of the exchange of money you exchange supplies and clothes! You can do this through your school or your own neighbourhood!

Here is what you need to do:

• First get a group of people together and form a small committee. Assess your needs and divide tasks
• Set a date, location and time
• Decide on an exchange system. Will you be swapping for identical items. IE: Binder for Binder or will you use a ticket system. IE: A binder may be worth 1 ticket, a hockey stick may be worth 20 tickets etc.. Each person is given the total value of their items brought in in ticket value. You can stipulate that whatever is left over at the end of the exchange will be donated to charity or given to the school for their use.
• You can ask for a $2 donation that can be donated to the ISF Animal Sanctuary at the end of your exhange. This isn't a fundraiser! Just "Any proceeds raised will be donated on behalf of this event to the Ian Somerhalder Foundation to benefit the Animal Sanctuary."
• Make sure that you have your volunteers sign a waiver. There are many free examples on the internet.
• Make a list of items that you want to swap. Make sure that you decide before hand what type of things you will accept and which swap system you will be using
• Make up a "flyer" with all the details and contact information. You can email it to everyone you know. If you have to use paper, try to use recycled paper.

Example of items to swap:

• Clothes in good condition (no rips, tears or stains. This should apply to all items dontated)
• Shoes and accessories
• Art and school supplies (paper, crayons, pencils, scissors, clip boards, glue, binders, etc)
• Backpacks, lunch boxes, book bags
• Bikes, scooters, skateboards and safety gear
• Sports Gear
• And anything else that you would like to add

Most of all have fun!