Teach Children to Recycle

Children are the future of our world, and, of course, of our environment. The lessons we teach them right now will impact the health of the natural and scenic environment of Virginia, so they’re never too young or too old to be introduced to all the “R’s” – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Renew, Refuse – to name a few.

Hopefully you’re already doing this if you’re a parent, but others can also have an influence on the children of extended family, children in the neighborhood, or maybe little ones they meet in their line of work.  An awareness of recycling will not only help the environment, but there are benefits for the children themselves.

Recycling can help children build their creativity!  Reusing materials for an art that would otherwise be trash can expand their imagination while teaching them good habits.  An impromptu band can be created with coffee can drums, dry rice-filled water bottle shakers, and pie tin cymbals.  All of which can be recycled when play time is over or interest wanes.

Recycling can be incorporated into a weekly chore to teach children responsibility. Often children enjoy being in charge of something.  Ask them to remember to bring the reusable bags out of the car when you arrive at the grocery store.  They could also help sort items like newspaper and plastic into your recycling bins.  This can help build a routine and can improve their long-term memory and cognition.

Learning to recycle will teach children the value of caring about the environment.  It’s an activity that naturally engages children’s curiosity, while learning important skills. They can learn to reduce the number of single-use items, reuse metal utensils instead of disposable plastic, recycle paper and plastic, renew second-hand toys and clothes, and refuse plastic straws when offered while dining out.  Good habits that we all can learn!

If you’re ready to consider using more sustainable products that help you Reduce, Renew, Recycle, Renew, and Refuse, we’re giving away Sustainability Sampler Kits so that you can try out some simple swaps that make a difference.

Enter now to be included in the drawing to receive one of ten kits given away in November. We’ll send a sampler kit to you at no charge, asking that you try the items and answer a short 3-question poll to tell us what you think about the products!