To say that most people in the world have a super hectic life is an understatement. Our kids can be crazy busy too. As a result, we have developed a portable society. Everything that we consume needs to come in a portable container. These portable containers have to go somewhere, and that somewhere is in our trash bins, and our landfills. All of this of course is hurting our planet. This is why recycling is so important. The recycling movement has really picked up steam over the past 30 years, and certainly over the last 20, it has become part of our mainstream consciousness. Many kids might have heard from various sources that recycling is a good thing, but is this something that is being put into practice in the homes? Do your kids understand why it’s good to recycle, and do they understand that they can have a role in the recycling process?
Your home can be a great training ground for these concepts. First, start with the kids snacks. Set up specific pails for things such as soda cans, and paper goods. You can explain to your children then when they are finished with the soda and the reusable paper goods, then can rinse and wash the food residue off, and then put these in their appropriate bins. Explain to your kids that when they do this, they are helping to keep these items out of landfills. Landfills pollute the earth, and make things “yucky” for the world that we have have to live in. Landfills also create unhealthy air to breathe. So it would do the world a lot of good if we could reuse certain materials, instead of letting sit to rot in a landfill.
Children are inherently decent, and they will feel a sense of pride and purpose if you explain to them that they can do their part to make things better for the world through recycling. They will also develop a sense of civic duty, a value that is also sorely lacking in today’s fast paced world. Children so much want to do the right thing, so instilling these habits in them will do a lot to boost their self esteem, and personal pride in themselves, and in the world.
Recycling can do more for your children than you might think. They can learn how to bring these values to their schools. Schools are always offering recycling initiatives. If the kids are doing this at home, then doing this at school will be a natural fit for them. They will have an easier time with the concept, and they can even do reports, or “show and tell” projects for the class.
Something like this can not only be educational, but it can be fun for the children, and for the whole family.