| If you have kids in the home, letting them know | | | | realize that what recycling truly boils down to is a |
| how important recycling can be is extremely | | | | cleaner, greener environment. If your kids have |
| important. Whether you already have a strict | | | | shown a great interest in recycling and you'd like |
| recycling routine in your home or you're looking to | | | | to take it a step further, getting kids into |
| up the ante to teach kids how imperative | | | | gardening can make them even more |
| recycling is - you can use some of these tips to | | | | environmentally conscious. By helping them plant |
| make recycling fun and convenient in your home.o | | | | and maintain their own herb garden in the yard, |
| Let your kids decorate recycling bins for your | | | | they can grow all natural ingredients for your next |
| kitchen or patio so that they can easily separate | | | | family dinner. They'll be able to take on some true |
| glass, plastic, paper, and aluminum. For younger | | | | responsibility and have a sense of pride and |
| kids, it will help them learn to differentiate | | | | accomplishment when the herbs are ready to be |
| between the different materials and older kids will | | | | added into your next meal. Having an herb garden |
| learn which materials are recyclable and which | | | | is not just a great project for kids, but you'll save |
| ones aren't. By buying large, colorful plastic bins | | | | yourself money and trips to the grocery store in |
| and allowing kids to write with sharpie marker on | | | | the future!o Finally, encourage your kids to find |
| them what each bin is for - they'll feel like they | | | | out what more they can do to help in their |
| truly took a part in getting your family to do the | | | | community. Many schools have started recycling |
| right thing and recycle.o Keep a chalkboard near | | | | efforts, so having kids talk to their teachers |
| the recycling bin or bins in your home so that kids | | | | about recycling can help them stay informed |
| can mark down when they tossed a recyclable | | | | about what their school is doing to help. Some |
| item in. Whether it's a soda can or some old | | | | communities have "clean-up" projects that always |
| papers from school, they can keep a tally on | | | | require volunteers. By participating in something |
| what they contributed. At the end of the month, | | | | like this with your kids, it will be a great bonding |
| you can tally everything up and then challenge | | | | experience for the two of you, while making your |
| kids to get an even higher number next month. | | | | community a cleaner, greener place to live. |
| Siblings can also use their natural rivalry to their | | | | Giving your kids the right ideas when it comes to |
| advantage while giving back to their environment.o | | | | recycling will be something that will benefit them |
| Each month, plan a Saturday, Sunday, or day off | | | | for years to come. By teaching them the |
| of school to complete a recycling based craft | | | | importance of recycling at a young age and raising |
| project with kids. Instead of going out and | | | | them with these same standards, they'll be more |
| purchasing craft supplies - use what you already | | | | likely to pass on the same ideas to their children. |
| have in the home. Let kids get creative and use | | | | The environment isn't going to fix itself, so |
| their imaginations to their advantage. Whether | | | | making sure kids are aware of the world around |
| they want to make a collage out of old | | | | them will help parents raise a generation that truly |
| newspapers and magazines for their room, or | | | | cares about making the world a greener place. |
| they want to decorate an old coffee can to store | | | | With concerns always growing about pollution, |
| their treasures in - you can show them how | | | | global warming, and the ozone layer - it's never |
| easily you can turn trash into treasure. As a | | | | been more important to think about reducing, |
| bonus, you'll save money by utilizing everyday | | | | reusing, and recycling in the home. By showing |
| household items instead of running to the toy or | | | | kids that recycling can be fun - you'll be paving |
| craft store for an afternoon project idea.o Aside | | | | the way for a happier earth. |
| from actually recycling in the home, kids should | | | | |