Recycling Responsibly for the Kids

 

Recycling minimizes pollution, helps preserve natural resources, saves money, and creates countless green jobs. So, with all these benefits, it is a wonder that Canadians are not more active in the recycling world.

The reality is that, for most busy parents, between balancing work, taking the kids to school and activities, along with all the other responsibilities that come with the title of mom or dad, it can be all too tempting to just leave other people to care about things like recycling. But, remember, the reason this is so important is that it is about the world that you will leave behind for your kids and even their kids. There are a few simple steps you can take to make sure that you do your part to keep Canada green for your children.

Do your Research

So many Canadians are recycling incorrectly, just throwing anything and everything under the sun into their blue bins, that it is literally costing millions of dollars to sort it out. This huge waste in funds not only means less innovation in the world of recycling, it also means there is less money ready to be diverted to the things you care about for your kids, like education and arts for youth. So, when it comes to your own recycling, don’t be lazy! Read about which companies recycle which items, and where to take unusual items, like electronics, or even artificial goods that can be recycled, just maybe not by who is picking up your weekly garbage. Take your kids with you to the recycling centers so that, from a young age, they can learn how recycling works and why it is important.

Reuse and Repurpose

Between making meals and helping with school projects, it can be tempting to toss whatever you’re done with right in the bin, and never have to think about it again. But, before being so quick to throw your things away, first try to think how else you could reuse and repurpose them. Simple everyday things that would normally go in the trash, like plastic containers or beer bottles, can be repurposed into items that you will use again and again, like drinking glasses or food storage. This not only cuts down on waste but also keeps you from buying more items, thereby saving you a buck. Not to mention that this opens up opportunities for fun projects for you to do with your kids!

Volunteer your Time

As full-time of a job as parenting is, especially considering that many parents now also work outside of the home, it can be hard to wrap your mind around committing time to anything else than your already full schedule. But, rather than think about volunteering as another thing you have to do, think about it as a teaching moment. Volunteering with your kids at a local recycling center or clean-up effort will teach your kids the importance of recycling and putting in every effort to protect their environment, all while making an immediate impact on your surroundings.

Reduce, reuse, and recycle might sound like a tired phrase, but you should make this your mantra and a way of life that you pass onto your kids. It is crucial to the future of our world that every one of us does our part when it comes to recycling. Be the super mom you know you are inside, and recycle to help save the world.