School on Saturday?
From my favorite, Idealbyte.
What lesson’s just as important as readin’, ‘ritin’, and ‘rithmetic?
The Bite
Recyclin’, of course. Teach littl’uns greener ways – just as important as the traditional fundamentals – with a regular trip to the recycling center.
The Benefits
- Givin’ to receive. Dropping off bottles and cans for recycling means the planet gets a breather and the kids get a little extra cash.
- Teachin’ good eco-habits. Making recycling a regular part of their lives is great practice for a lifelong environmentality – and saves landfill space and resources (using recycled aluminum, for example, uses 95% less energy than making cans from new ore).
- It’s possible for an aluminum can to get recycled, turned into a new can, and be back on the shelf in 60 days.
- If 10,000 Biter kids each recycle one aluminum can, we’ll save enough energy to power up a 100-watt bulb for 23 years, 24 hours a day.
Personally Speaking
When he was little, Toshio used to shamelessly pilfer cans from his neighbors’ trash bins so he could collect the cash-in change – a boy’s gotta make a living somehow…
Wanna Try?
- Take kids to the recycling center regularly (often in your supermarket’s parking lot). While you’re at it, talk to them about how recycling pays for the planet.
- Kids Recycling Zone – one-stop shop for kids to learn about recycling.
- Story of Stuff – this 20-minute free web video is a great illuminator of what happens to trash when we chuck it – not just for kids, either.