| Before I even get into the specifics, you need to | | | | Bring out the artistic side in them and challenge them |
| decide if greening your lifestyle is right for you. I'll | | | | to come up with ways to reuse items that would |
| answer it for you: yes. If you think it's totally lame, | | | | otherwise be thrown away. This is also a good |
| just do it and don't talk about it. We're behind the | | | | opportunity to talk to your kids about the importance |
| times and it's strange because the results of eco | | | | of donating excess material such as clothing, shoes, |
| friendly living will save you money and simplify your | | | | and really anything for that matter. Having a |
| lifestyle immensely. | | | | sustainable mindset makes for a better person. |
| Recycling has a huge impact...really it does! | | | | Increased satisfaction from consuming less. |
| Ever notice that when you really make an effort to | | | | Whether it's turning off the tap until you're done |
| separate your materials between trash, lawn waste, | | | | brushing your teeth, or taking your backpack to the |
| and recycling that your trash is the smallest piles Now | | | | grocery store with you, the little things add up and |
| multiply that by every household in the US to get an | | | | make a huge difference. Culture change is contagious, |
| idea of the magnitude we're talking. Exactly. | | | | so do your part and watch it spread. |
| Unfortunately that is not the end of the process. | | | | Try to add a new habit or change on a daily (or |
| Here's the funny part, I'll be the first to remind you | | | | near-daily) basis and observe what happens. You're |
| that just because you put your materials in the blue | | | | probably noticing that it's not uncommon anymore in |
| bin, doesn't mean they get recycled. They've only | | | | the daily lifestyle and it's constantly in the news. It |
| been given a chance to potentially be recycled. I | | | | seems that businesses are constantly going green |
| sincerely hope that this fact becomes more common | | | | and making it just a little bit easier for the consumer |
| knowledge over time...I don't want the average | | | | to move through our daily routines that much more |
| citizen to think that recycling is the high point of their | | | | efficiently. Become more conscious of what exactly |
| societal contributions. Simply put, just because | | | | you're buying and what the end results will be. This |
| material is collected and separated, doesn't mean that | | | | thought process isn't going away anytime soon and |
| industry needs to buy it back and use it. There will | | | | it's going to get easier as it becomes natural to do |
| most likely always be a market for aluminum cans, | | | | so. People inherently want to do the right thing, and |
| but glass and most plastics aren't seen as important. | | | | luckily the movement is in the right direction. |
| Obviously this is a shame considering the harm | | | | By simplifying your lifestyle you will notice the |
| caused by plastics that is going to continually | | | | benefits it has on your pocketbook, your family and |
| confront us from here on out. | | | | friends, your overall demeanor. Don't believe mes I |
| It's a great dialogue to have with our children. | | | | challenge you to try a few things out and see what |
| I don't know what your childhood was like, but mine | | | | happens. If you think being green and minimizing your |
| was one of avoiding my parents as much as possible. | | | | impact on the planet is lame, then start writing about |
| I think it's natural for kids to want to separate from | | | | it and tell everyone you know. I'm sure they'll be |
| their parents as much as they can, but assigning | | | | more than happy to help point you in the right |
| them to oversee recycling efforts in the house can | | | | direction. |
| be huge. Challenge them to think how to repurpose | | | | Keep in mind that it's up to you what you do with |
| materials that would otherwise be tossed out. | | | | your life, but that greening your behaviors is a |
| Kids can feel like they own up to something | | | | respectable and satisfying endeavor that will change |
| important, and they can earn their allowance this | | | | your perspectives a bit. You'll save money, engage in |
| way...if you give them one! Chances are, they're | | | | new conversations with your children, and be doing |
| learning about sustainability and their duty for the | | | | the right thing. |
| future in school, so this is a great bridge to cross. | | | | |