Recyling helps to eliminate waste.
Recycling is a good way to help children learn about the environment and the importance of waste reduction. There are many ways children can reduce, reuse and recycle around the home, in school and in the community. Children can learn to turn off running water and lights when they aren't needed, pick up litter, reuse bottles, cans, newspaper and bags for creative projects, and just share with other people the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling to help keep Mother Earth clean and waste-free.
Composting
Decomposing fruit can go into the compost bin.
By recycling decomposing fruits, vegetables, plant trimmings and other kitchen waste, a great concoction known as compost is created that helps put nutrients back into the soil and provide fertilization too. Allow children to gather compost items from anything that was living such as nut hulls, grass, leaves, decaying fruits, vegetables and other food scraps. (No manmade or synthetic items please.) Place the items in the compost bin. Let the children turn the compost regularly to help with the decomposition process. Your compost will be ready when the items you've placed in the bin are no longer recognizable. Afterward, the children can add the compost to their garden landscape. Compost bins can be built from old timber or a simple large trash can with a lid will do. Make sure that the compost bin is in a sunny, well-drained area. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, composting has been used to suppress plant disease and pests, aid in preventing pollution and helps to reduce and eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers. From composting, children will learn that healthy soil without chemicals equals healthier plants and a cleaner environment.
Establish a Recycling Center
Children will enjoy creating their own recycling center.
Most cities and states have recycling centers to help reduce waste in the community. Children can also create recycling centers--of course on a smaller scale--to get involved in the eco-friendly movement. To start recycling goods, children should find some bins or large boxes in which to place the collected recycled items. The Environmental Protection Agency suggests that before beginning any recycling program, students should check to see which waste programs are already underway in the area. After determining which items your recycling center will collect and redistribute, label each container to help with sorting. Allowing people to donate items such as children's clothing, books, fabric, yarn, old magazine, egg cartons and toys is definitely a start. Once you begin to get an influx of these items, children can sort the items into the appropriate bins. Next, arrange a day and time each week to open up your recycling center to the public for free. Throughout this recycling experience, children will become familiar with reusable and recyclable materials. This activity will also allow them to put into action recycling and reusing procedures.
Plant Fruit Trees
Planting trees can help reduce global warming.
Planting trees can help provide food and homes for many animals and birds. It also can help reduce global warming and supply food for us humans as well. According to the Patt Foundations, planting trees can help produce more oxygen, improve biodiversity, aid in soil erosion, clean the soil, and aid in temperature control. To initiate the activity, ask children to save seeds from all the fruits that they eat and dry them out in the sun. It's a good idea to collect different varieties of fruit seeds to have a diverse group of plants. Keep in mind what grows well in your area. After the seeds have been collected, allow children to place them into small bags and label them with a black permanent marker. The next step will involve planting pots, soil and a small shovel. Using the shovel, put some soil into the pot and place a couple of seeds (of the same variety) directly into the soil. Repeat this process with the rest of the collected seeds. Don't forget to water regularly. When the plants grow big enough, they can be placed in the child's backyard or a community garden for everyone to take part in the work and reap the fruit of the harvest. Planting trees will help children learn how their actions influence the environment and also assist them with feeling closer to Mother Nature as well.
Tags: help reduce, recycling center, trees help, your recycling center, area After