Teaching Your Children to Recycle

Written by Karen Bates (last updated November 2, 2020)

Recycling is an important task that is most effective if many people are involved in it. Every little thing we can do to help the environment is important, and if everyone works to do a little good for the Earth it will make a big difference.

One way to perpetuate the idea of recycling is to teach it to children while they are young. Showing them how vital reusing and recycling are will help them to follow your example by continuing what you have taught them as they grow.

Although you might call recycling a chore, you can still get kids to do it and have fun at the same time. If you are wondering how to get your children involved in recycling, try some of these ideas:

  • Together with your children, go over the different types of recyclable materials. Find a place to put bins for each specific material. It can also be fun to let your kids make or decorate these bins as an activity to get them into the idea of recycling. If your kids are old enough, you may want to give them the responsibility of being in charge of the recycling at your house.
  • Instead of tossing empty boxes and paper, let your kids use them to unleash their creativity. A little paint, some glitter, and markers can turn what looks like garbage into a fun art project. You could even throw a recycling party, where the kids' friends come over to learn about recycling and work on crafts, too.
  • Gather together unneeded items in your home with your kids' help. Have them put old toys and clothes they have outgrown into bags, and take a trip to the thrift store. Explain to your children that their old items can now find new life as someone else reuses them. You may also want to organize a neighborhood garage sale to get the community involved.
  • When you go shopping with your kids, use a reusable shopping bag and tell them how this helps to reduce waste. By being a good example, you are showing your kids that recycling is important to you. This will help build their desire to recycle on their own.
  • Recycling is important, and teaching it to your kids is a vital way to help reduce waste. By learning about it now, they can use what they know about recycling as they grown up and eventually teach it to their own children.

    Author Bio

    Karen Bates

    An English student who enjoys writing and art, Karen has had her poetry published in her university's literary journal and has several novels in the works. ...

    MORE FROM KAREN

    Cleaning Tile Floors

    Tile floors look great, but they need to be taken care of. To make this flooring last, clean it regularly to rid the area ...

    Discover More

    Electronic Air Cleaners

    Clean air is important to many of us, and keeping the air we breathe indoors pure can be vital to good health. Use an ...

    Discover More

    Clean My House

    Many people try to keep the house clean, but just don't have the time to maintain the cleanliness they would prefer. ...

    Discover More

    Tough Tools for Tough Cleaning Jobs O-Cel-O sponges and Scotch Brite scrubbers are truly a fashion-meets-function success story. The highly absorbent and durable sponges in this handy six-pack make quick work of tough cleaning problems in any kitchen, bathroom, or garage. Check out Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scrub Sponges today!

    More Cleaning Tips

    Cleaning Water Dispensers

    Water dispensers are a wonderful item to have both in the home and in the office. As with most water related items ...

    Discover More

    Cleaning Electric Razors

    Electric razors, or shavers as they are commonly known, are supposed to save time and the skin of the men who use it. ...

    Discover More

    Quick and Easy Home Sanitization Methods

    There are many quick and easy things you can do that can help sanitize your home. Try them out to get your home's ...

    Discover More
    Subscribe

    FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

    View most recent newsletter.

    Comments

    If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

    What is nine minus 1?

    There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


    Newest Tips
    Subscribe

    FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

    (Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

    View the most recent newsletter.