If you grew up throwing water bottles in the trash, leaving the water running while brushing your teeth, and leaving your TV on whether anyone was watching it or not, you probably had a difficult time adapting to the “going green” movement – assuming you’re already there .
The fact is, the act of recycling is a habit, and habits are not instantly formed. They take time, commitment, repetition, along with the understanding and belief that something of value will come from the time and effort.
As adults, recycling and green living habits are harder to form because we have so many years of counter-productive behaviors to overcome. And yet isn’t it worth the extra work to teach your kids productive and mutually beneficial habits even during their formative years? Of course it is.
Remember: children instinctively want to be part of solutions, not problems.
A good place to start with your kids is by explaining why green living is so important. Be ready to answer all their questions, and explain green living and technologies in ways that relate to their interests. For example, many children (especially boys!) are fascinated with cars and want to know how they run. Simply explain that they run on gas but that newer cars are being built to run on batteries to help clean up the environment.
When you purchase and re-use cloth grocery bags, explain why they’re a better choice than the plastic grocery bags offered up at your local supermarket. And why certain items go in the trash bin, while others are disposed of in the recycling bin.
It’s also important to get them outdoors since children who like the outdoors and appreciate nature will be easier to instruct on how to contribute to nature’s beauty and preservation.
Here are some other ways to help teach them how to be green:
Explain conservation of resources
- Teach them to turn off lights when they leave a room
- Turn off water when they brush their teeth
Make it a game
- Have them help hang laundry out (or indoors) to dry
- Make toys and crafts out of containers and other household items – the art and skill of repurposing offers a lifetime of benefits
- Involve them in composting
- Have them help you unplug electrical appliances and games before bed time
- Take them along to clean up litter in your neighborhood
At Norhio Plumbing, we’re committed to conserving energy and natural resources, and shows it just about everything we do. Contact us today for ideas and more information on how you can save more water and energy without sacrificing comfort. It’s a whole lot easier than you might think.
