Eco-friendly Facts to Consider Teaching Your Children
- It is estimated that 75% of what is thrown in the trash could be recycled.
- The world's most valuable recycling material is metal — especially aluminum and copper — and aluminum is the most widely recycled metal. The profit companies make from aluminum recycling is enough to fund every other material you put in your recycling bin!
- Glass can be recycled forever.
- Americans go through more than 4 million plastic bottles per hour, but only one-quarter of these bottles are recycled. Because oil is used for plastics, experts say that this has contributed to rising gas prices.
Teach Your Kids How to Become Environmentally Friendly
- Remind your kids to turn off the faucet while they are brushing their teeth. Leaving a faucet on for five minutes uses the same amount of energy as a 60-watt lightbulb that's been on for 14 hours!
- Remind them to use small plates. Kids are very visual, so they might fill their plate with food — no matter how big it is. Using small plates will help reduce wasted food.
- Encourage them to start a recycling program at their school to help cut down on waste.
- Suggest to your kids that they use less electricity so there is less air pollution. They can do this by climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator or by turning off the not-being-used lights, TVs and computers around the house.
- Take a family trip to your local nursery. Ask a specialist there to help you choose a tree that will grow well in your area. Plant the tree in your yard together as a family.
- On a weekend, gather your family and go to a local park to collect trash around the area. If you find any recyclable items, such as cans or paper bags, bring them to your local recycling center.
Share these tips to teach your family how to get a little bit more by taking a little less — and give a little back— starting today.
