Green Recycling Products Blog

How to Teach Children Eco-Friendly Habits

Joseph Coupal - Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Contributing to the overall sustainability of the environment in even a small amount can make a considerable difference in the long run. By regularly practicing eco-friendly living you do exactly that. However, in order to truly create the change that we want to create, it’s important we get others involved in conserving and recycling as much as we can. So why not start with our own kids? After all, it’s easy to build good values/principles when someone is young.

Encouraging green or eco-friendly habits in children starts with you. Here’s how you can help them developing these habits:

#1: Set a Good Example

Being a parent, you are your child’s first role model. So if you want them to live in an eco-friendly manner then you need to live that way. You need to demonstrate how it’s supposed to be done. For example, if you want your kids to conserve water by turning off the water when brushing their teeth, then do it yourself first. You can do many such things such as: not leaving the lights on when leaving a room, unplugging any equipment/appliance that is not use, etc. When your children see you do something positive, they follow your pursuit.

#2: Reuse, Recycle and Reduce

When you go out shopping make sure you use a reusable bag so that your kids know the importance of that practice. Also, get your kids involved in decluttering your home by throwing away or selling the unnecessary items, while safely storing what is useful. If you live in a hot place like Phoenix, AZ rent climate controlled self-storage to store your stuff and instead of discarding reusable items between children, so that you can reuse them in the future without letting them clutter your home. When it comes to recycling, work with the kids to create fun and decorative boxes that can be used for sorting and separating glass, paper and plastic.

#3: Plant a Garden

Saving money on groceries and eating organic food is a great way to show your children the importance of going green. Preparing and planting a garden with your children will help you do just that. Besides that, when you let them get in the dirt and experience how mother earth works, you’ll have them love nature and the whole idea of going green. However, see to it that you don’t compromise when it comes to being organic in your approach. Avoid using pesticides and use natural seeds at all costs.

#4: Begin an Energy Saving Project

One of the best “eco-friendly” teaching that you can impart to your children is to be independent of “public utilities”. Show them how installing your own solar power generating system can help create energy the eco-friendly way. This can be a fun project that your kids can get involved in. If you do some online research you’ll easily be able to find good training videos/material to get a good, viable start. By teaching your children about solar power, they not only learn how to save energy, but also money.

*Originally posted by www.ecochildsplay.com

RECYCLING AND REUSE TIPS FOR THE SUMMER SEASON

Joseph Coupal - Tuesday, June 21, 2016

With the Summer season finally here, we offer the following tips to make this summer better than ever!

  • Rather than buying small, travel-sized toiletries, fill reusable containers with shampoo, soap, and other necessities.
  • Reuse plastic or paper shopping bags to pack items for your trip and recycle them afterwards. Plastic shopping bags are perfect for keeping dirty shoes and wet bathing suits separate from other items in your suitcase, while paper bags are great for packing snacks for the car.
  • Choose electronic tickets when booking airline flights to reduce paper waste.
  • Take only napkins, condiment packets, free brochures, maps, or coupons that you will actually use.
  • Take along plastic bags to collect your used beverage containers for recycling at rest stops.
  • If you change your own motor oil, recycle it at a “quick lube” shop, gas station, or auto store that accepts used motor oil for recycling.
  • To pass the time on long drives or rainy vacation days, bring scrap paper for drawing and games.
  • Start an art project with “found” objects – collages and sculptures made from discarded items are a growing trend!
  • Shop at stores that specialize in used sports equipment – you’ll save money and promote reuse.
  • When you’re stuck inside on a rainy day, clean out your closet and collect the old clothes and toys for donation to a charity or your next garage sale.
  • Spend your free time volunteering at a local park or helping out with environmental clean-ups.
  • Build a backyard fort or tree house from recycled materials, such as wood scraps, cardboard, and other found items.
  • Summer is a popular time for barbeques and other outdoor festivities. At your next party, set the picnic table with reusable dinnerware, and remember to recycle all bottles and cans after the party!!
  • Hot summer days require gallons of thirst quenchers. Be sure to recycle the used beverage containers.
  • Consider putting a filter on your water tap and refilling bottles with the filtered water. Instead of buying many small drink bottles, buy drinks or drink mixes in bulk and fill reusable bottles.
  • At the beach, use old buckets and other items in your house to build sand castles instead of buying new products at the store.
  • When visiting beaches and parks, be sure to take out everything you bring in, so that you leave places unlittered and undisturbed.

Recycling Scholarships Available to NOLA Area College Students

Joseph Coupal - Wednesday, June 08, 2016

Since 1994, the National Recycling Coalition has awarded scholarships to students interested in the recycling field. This year, the NRC is awarding scholarships to qualified New Orleans area students in the amount of $1,500 each. Recipients will also receive complementary admission to the Resource Recycling Conference, August 30th through September 1st, and a one-year membership to the Coalition.

Students will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • Attend a New Orleans area college or university
  • Academic and personal interest in the recycling field
  • Meritorious academic achievement
  • Available to attend Resource Recycling conference

Scholarship applications can be submitted at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NRCScholarship.  Applications must be received no later than July 22nd.  Winners will be announced by August 5, 2016.

Questions can be directed to the NRC’s Campus Council at: CampusCouncil@NRCrecycles.org.  More information is available at: http://nrcrecycles.org

Celebrate World Oceans Day 2016: Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet

Joseph Coupal - Thursday, June 02, 2016

The ocean is the heart of our planet. Like your heart pumping blood to every part of your body, the ocean connects people across the Earth, no matter where we live. The ocean regulates the climate, feeds millions of people every year, produces oxygen, is the home to an incredible array of wildlife, provides us with important medicines, and so much more! In order to ensure the health and safety of our communities and future generations, it’s imperative that we take the responsibility to care for the ocean as it cares for us.

This year, the theme is Healthy oceans, healthy planet, and we’re making a special effort to stop plastic pollution.

Plastic pollution is a serious threat because it degrades very slowly, polluting waterways for a very long time. In addition, plastic pollution impacts the health of aquatic animals because animals including zooplankton mistake the microbeads for food. Scientists also fear health impacts for humans.

The United Nations will celebrate World Oceans Day 2016 and recognize the winners of the Annual World Oceans Day Oceanic Photo Competition at an event on 8 June 2016 at the United Nations Headquarters.

Why do we celebrate World Oceans Day?

  • To remind everyone of the major role the oceans have in everyday life. They are the lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe.
  • To inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean.
  • To develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean.
  • To mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world's oceans. They are a major source of food and medicines and a critical part of the biosphere.
  • To celebrate together the beauty, the wealth and the promise of the ocean.

**Original by www.un.org