On April 22nd, we celebrated Earth Day. This annual event started back in the 1970s and has made a positive impact on the environment. Earth Day has catapulted public awareness of the environment and action to commit to sustainability that has led to important legislation that can help the planet’s resources sustains for generations to come.
It’s also important to teach the future leaders of America the importance of sustainability, and it can start at home with your kids and family members. Luckily, you can celebrate Earth Day all year long by getting the family involved by practicing recycling. Here are a few quick recycling tips to get you started:
1. Recycle Paper Right Away
Did you come across expired coupons from a newspaper you clipped? Have you come across advertisements you never read and other junk mail in your mailbox? Don’t throw it in the trash. Set the example for your family by committing to recycling paper right away. Make it a game for young children by timing how fast they can put away old newspapers, magazines, coupons or ads in the recycling bin. Put up a sign near your recycling bin or set up a reminder on your teen’s phone to recycle immediately. By taking care of recycling right away and reminding your family, you reduce the chances of paper ending up in the trash and landfill.
2. Reward for Recycling
Reward your kids for committing to recycling in the house. For instance, you can set up a reward system that may include a trip to a trampoline park or extra time playing outside. Help them track the times they recycle with a calendar to encourage young children to make recycling a habit.
3. Commit to Using Recycled Material
Today’s recycled paper products are more aesthetically pleasing and come with the added value of promoting sustainability. You can encourage your family to live a sustainable life and recycle by committing to using recycled products. For instance, instead of buying the cheapest copy or notebook paper available at your local office supply store, consider opting for recycled paper. Also, consider using packaging made from recycled paper to cut down on waste that is harmful to the environment.
Whether you opt to commit to using recycled paper daily or make recycling a game, there are several ways to get your children and family motivated to live a sustainable life. You can use these recycling tips at any time of the year. Just make committing to recycling less of a chore and more of an exciting event to keep your kids and family motivated to participate.
About Pratt Recycling
Pratt Recycling is a subsidiary of Pratt Industries, the 5th largest corrugated packaging company in the USA and the world’s largest, privately-held 100% recycled paper and packaging company. Pratt Recycling Division is a full-service recycler with 16 recycling facilities. Pratt utilizes the paper products collected in the production of its 100% recycled content paper and packaging solutions. Our mission is to create sustainable recycling solutions for our customers that maximize waste diversion, create cost savings and revenue stream for valuable recyclables previously landfilled, all the while minimizing the environmental impact by preserving natural resources for future generations.