Englewood Family Matters: Teach Kids to Be Green

Teaching kids to be green is about more than reciting textbook facts. It's about getting out there and doing things that make a difference. Being green is a way of life and requires actions both big and small. Parents in Englewood, CO can help teach kids to be green by doing simple things when out and about.

Voluntary trash pick-up. The streets of Englewood are generally fairly clean. You and the kids can help even more by voluntarily collecting trash and litter you find lying around. Has someone picnicked in the park and left behind a little trash. Keep Englewood green by picking up what they forgot. See some litter along the Englewood trails? Trash it or recycle it. There are plenty of trash receptacles along the trails.

Collect recyclables from people and businesses. If you see a person or business throwing out recyclable items often, there's an opportunity to help. Offer to come pick up recyclable items on a regular schedule. The kids can help keep Englewood green by recycling these items. This can also turn into a pretty cool part time job for kids.

Gift reusable bags. Do you and the kids see people walking home from the store with plastic grocery bags? Gift them some reusable ones. It will ease their trips and help save the environment by avoiding plastic bags. Right Bag at 'Ya has some great ideas on how to gift reusable bags and also has plenty of ideas on making your own or dressing up plain ones. You can even print tags to attach to the bags in explanation of the reusable bag-gifting mission.

Never litter, always recycle and reuse, and teach friends the same. Kids can make a big difference by never littering Englewood's grounds, always reusing, and recycling, and teaching their friends to do the same. When friends come over, kids should make sure they don't leave trash in the yard and recyclable items are collected for recycling. To drive home the point, friends can even come on recycling trips. Reusable bags should be used, whether you are going to the grocery store or to buy some new clothes at the Park Meadows Mall.

Buy Used. Yes, Park Meadows Mall was just mentioned above, but to be fair, buying new clothing is not exactly green. If you can score some organic and fair trade clothing at the mall, that's great and it's greener than buying synthetics. But try hitting the thrift stores or trading items with friends first. Buying and reusing clothing is much more green than always buying new. Besides, what's old to one person is new to another! You'd be surprised what you can find at thrift stores like Neighborly Thrift Shop (S. Broadway at Floyd) and the Goodwill stores.

Click here for a list of recycling resources in Englewood, CO

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