Tips For Recycling Containers - Get Kids Using Bins For Recycling

Getting children to use recycling containersup and dump recycling containers that are already
consistently can be a bit of a challenge at first -full. Each day they do their job successfully, they
particularly in schools, youth centers, and otherearn a sticker on a 'green chart' that can be used
organizations where there is a large number ofto earn privileges and prizes.
children. Bins for recycling are a great place toGames
start when it comes to showing children theAdding games into green activities are ideal for
importance of helping the environment andeducating children and satisfying their curiosity for
incorporating eco-friendly practices into their dailythe world around them. In a classroom setting,
life. Studies show that the younger the childrenfor instance, let kids ball up the paper that would
are when they start, the more likely they are tonormally be tossed in bins for recycling. Line up
stick with it.the balls in a circle around the classroom so they
Make A Fun Deliverycan see how much they use in a day.
One of the greatest ways to incorporateYou can even make it into a contest to see how
recycling container into children's lives is to haveshort they can make the line by reusing paper or
fun getting the materials into the bins. It also givesusing alternatives. This gives the kids an
you a chance to add science into the equation.opportunity to come up with solutions (using chalk
Get the kids together to design an 'amazingboards or miniature white boards) to cut down on
machine' with various materials such asthe amount of waste they make each day.
Styrofoam cups, strings, marbles, and plastics.Another twist on this idea is to let kids design
Paper, for example, can then be crumpled into atheir own recycling containers. They can use
ball and sat in a 'truck'. The truck can make fallsshoeboxes, cereal boxes, milk jugs, or other
and jumps, go through tunnels, and over obstaclesmaterials. See how creative they can be making
on its way to the bins for recycling. This givestheir bins and how empty they can keep them.
children an insight into basic physics, have funBins for recycling are a quick and easy way to
putting it all together, and testing it.instill green living in the lives of children. They will
Let Kids Helpgrow up respecting the environment and learn to
Let children help when it comes to sorting andmake conscious decisions about their actions.
emptying bins for recycling. Each day, designate aOnce recycling containers are in full use,
few children as 'earth officers'. They can makeincorporate these ideas into other eco-friendly
sure that all of the used materials go into the bin.activities and watch the kids flourish while they
At the end of the day, they can help you sortlearn to save the earth.
items from small bins into the larger ones for pick