How to Teach Kids to Recycle

It is never too early to learn how to contribute to saving our planet. Kids are eager to learn so it's a great time to teach them to recycle. Follow these simple guidelines to teaching kids to think before they toss.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Educate your children about where disposable items come from. For example, paper plates are made from trees. Tell your kids that if they want to save our trees they should recycle paper products so they can be reused and a tree is saved.
2. Enroll your child in a recycling program. There are many available online that help making recycling fun. Check out the EPA website for a great recycling program called Environmental Kids Club (see Resources below for link).
3. Put your child in charge of recycling at home. Have him make signs for the garbage cans that designate what goes where. Let him monitor everyone's recycling habits.
4. Practice what you preach. Make sure that you are recycling faithfully so that when you tell the kids to recycle they will be learning by your example as well.
5. Have your children grow a vegetable garden. Explain to them that by growing their own garden they are saving on the packaging used to buy those vegetables at the grocery stores.
6. Let your child collect all your cans and bottles. Take her to the recycling center to exchange them for money then let her spend it how she chooses. Money is a great motivator and she will feel proud about doing a good deed.