One of your most important jobs in life is to teach your children to become responsible citizens. Learning how to care for and preserve the environment through responsible waste disposal is part of that equation. But, what you say to them isn’t nearly as important as what you do and what you teach them to do for themselves. Consider the following ways you can teach your children about proper waste removal:
Be a Good Role Model
Children learn a lot by observing your actions. Make sure they are actions you are proud of, and that support your goals to teach your kids to respect the environment. That means always practicing what you preach and making sure your children see you doing it. Using recycling bins and disposing of your household trash properly is just the beginning. There are other ways you can set a good example for your children.
Participate in Neighborhood Cleanup Days
When you participate as a family, your kids learn that cleaning up the neighborhood is important to you. They also learn specific skills, such as how to sort and categorize trash, how to prepare items for disposal or recycling and how to handle waste safely. Take the time to talk about the project and how you will accomplish the goal. If your neighborhood takes advantage of a dumpster rental to hold trash during the project, make sure your children know what items are allowed in the dumpster.
Reuse or Repurpose Items
Avoid purchasing disposable items and teach your children how to reuse items. That means putting a halt to using paper plates and disposable dishes, but it also includes other items like reusable razors and opting to purchase items that are designed to withstand long-term use. But that isn’t all you can do. Reuse food containers, recycle that milk carton as a seed starting tray and brainstorm ways to create functional items from things you would ordinarily throw away. Think household organization before you toss old containers and enlist your children’s input into items that can be reused for toy storage or to organize their personal belongings. Old buckets, paint cans and other containers make great storage bins once they are given a fresh coat of paint.
Recycle
You can’t reuse everything in your home, but many items can be recycled to make new things. Visit your local recycling center to learn about what can and cannot be recycled and start a family recycling plan. Designate bins for paper and plastic and teach your children to sort them properly. If your neighborhood sponsors recycling drives, volunteer to help out with the collection and put your kids to work doing age-appropriate tasks.
To learn more about how a dumpster rental can further your goals to teach your kids about responsible waste removal, or to arrange for a dumpster rental for your community cleanup project, Debris Box is ready to help! Contact us today to get started on your new recycling journey.
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