How to Get Kids to Recycle
Recycling is an issue that’s never held more importance than today, and it’s vital to introduce children to this issue, if they haven't been. What we do now with our waste material will affect their futures, so it makes sense to instill a feeling of responsibility in the subject at an early age. Luckily, recycling isn’t a difficult task, and most children become willing participants after a short time.
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Instructions
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How to Get Kids to Recycle
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Make it easy on them. Keep separate garbage cans for different recycling materials and label them. Post bright signs with markers above the paper-only recycling bin, above the glass bottles bins, etc.
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Post the rules of recycling in a highly visible area, such as on the refrigerator. List what needs to be done before garbage-collection day, such as bundling up all newspapers with twine or sorting the bottles and cans into separate bins.
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Reinforce the idea of “reducing waste.” Set a target for your kids to reach—for example, aim to throw out two fewer garbage bags a week.
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Reuse drawing paper. Tell the children they must use both sides of a piece of paper before they receive a new one.
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Keep a sticker chart. This works well with younger children. Every time a child disposes of his garbage in the correct recycling bin, affix a sticker to his chart. When he’s collected a designated number of stickers (10 or 15, for example), he is rewarded with a small toy or favorite treat.
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Share any recycling profits you receive. For example, if your children agree to help you collect bottles and cans and return them to a recycling center, split the money you receive back. The more cans they collect, the more money they will receive—that’s incentive.
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Let them see you recycle. Telling your child they have to recycle while you just toss your bottles in with the regular trash sends mixed messages. Make sure you are following the recycling rules as well—set a good example.
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Find out if their school has a recycling program. Many corporations sponsor schools with recycling programs. Wal-mart, for example, has a recycling program that rewards participating schools with money for collecting recyclables. If the kids’ schools don’t have a program already in place, speak to the principal about establishing one.
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Don’t punish or scold your child if she occasionally neglects to follow the recycling rules. Children, especially younger ones, can sometimes be absent-minded, so gently remind them of the correct way to dispose of the garbage.
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Don’t throw the rules out the window, either. If you notice that your child is repeatedly neglecting to recycle, continue to repeat how important it is for proper waste disposal, and consider making him/her in charge of all recyclables for one week. Giving her an enhanced sense of responsibility may help her rise to the challenge as well as remember the rules.
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Tips & Warnings
Recycling rules and recommendations may vary with your location, so check with your municipality.
