Get your kids ready for the local recycling contest

With Whitfield County Schools and Dalton Public Schools starting next week, it’s a perfect time to get your kids ready for recycling. Teaching them good recycling habits now can make a big difference and boost their confidence throughout the year.

In Whitfield County and the city of Dalton more than 30 schools are actively involved in recycling programs, including a school recycling contest through the Target Recycling at School program by the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority. When dropping off your child, look for the sky-blue recycling bins outside the school or ask teachers and administrators about recycling containers inside. Last year, schools collected 416,030 pounds of recyclables, which is about as heavy as 139 hippos, and saved 360 cubic yards of landfill space.

Elementary, middle and high schools compete against one another in each category and the top two and most-improved schools get to choose a prize at the end of the year. Teachers, parents and students can track their monthly progress and compare to other schools by signing up for the newsletter at http://eepurl.com/YEEM.

Creating a supportive recycling environment at home first is key. Make sure recycling bins are easy to access and clearly labeled so your kids know where to put their paper waste. You could even decorate them together. Making this a craft activity can help them feel more invested in using the bins correctly.

Lead by example by consistently using the bins and reminding your kids to do the same. You might even integrate recycling into your daily routine, like sorting paper waste after homework or crafting.

Getting familiar with tricky recycling items at home will help kids feel more confident recycling at school. Kids might forget that paperboard tubes (like toilet paper rolls) and boxes (like cereal boxes) are recyclable along with their usual paper and worksheets. Practice recycling these items together. This is also a good time to remind younger kids that things like used tissues, napkins or toilet paper do not go in the bin.

Make sure to talk to your kids about why taking the time to recycle matters. Explain how recycling paper helps save trees, reduces pollution and conserves energy. Make these conversations engaging with visuals, videos or interactive activities. Storytelling can also be a fun way to introduce recycling. Share books or stories about recycling and environmental conservation. After reading, discuss the story and how it relates to recycling in their life.

Check out the free Recycling Ben worksheets online at www.dwswa.org/mascot-recycling-ben. These worksheets offer interactive learning through matching games, word searches and coloring sheets. You can also organize a scavenger hunt at home where they find and identify five recyclable paper items in five minutes or less.

Incorporate recycling into daily routines with small but meaningful actions. For example, assign a “recycling captain” each week to ensure paper waste is sorted and recycled properly. Rotate this role so each child gets a turn, teaching responsibility and leadership. Keep track of how often you set out your curbside bin or visit a convenience center with the recycling tracker worksheet from Recycling Ben and have a family reward when you reach a milestone like five, 10 or 15 visits.

Once school starts, make sure your child is familiar with the school’s recycling system, since rules and routines can vary from school to school. Remind them to look for recycling containers and encourage them to ask questions about what items their teacher collects. Getting familiar with the routine will help them become a leader in caring for the environment at school.

These efforts at home will support their school’s recycling initiatives and create lifelong habits that benefit the environment. By preparing them for the school year with a recycling mindset they can lead the way in promoting sustainability at school and beyond.

Amy Hartline is the recycling and education program coordinator for the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority. Have a recycling question? Contact her at (706) 278-5001 or ahartline@dwswa.org.