How to Start a Family Recycling Project

Although almost everyone knows that recycling is important to help take care of the environment, it can sometimes be difficult to get started on a recycling program as a family. It can be tempting to keep putting recycling off, especially since families usually live such busy lives. Instead of simply tossing recyclable materials in the trash, take the time to start a family recycling project. Not only will you have the good feeling of knowing you are doing the right thing to help the environment, but you will also save money and can have a lot of fun doing it together.

Start Small
Many times the problem with embarking on a recycling program is that it can be overwhelming to start learning to recycle everything. It can be a lot easier to start small by just deciding to recycle a few things. Give some thought as to what materials are most commonly used in your family. For example, if you get a daily newspaper, you might want to start by recycling just newspaper. Aluminum beverage cans are also a good choice if your family consumes a lot of canned beverages. For the best chance of success with your family recycling project, select just one or two items at first. Then, once everyone has gotten into the habit of recycling those items, you can add a few more to the list. In this fashion, you will eventually be recycling most if not all of the recyclable materials that your family consumes, without the shock of trying to do it all at one time.

Set a Goal as a Family
Projects are also a lot more fun if there is a goal in mind. The goal can be whatever works best for your family. For example, if you decide to recycle aluminum cans, locate a facility that will give you cash for aluminum scrap. Then, on a regular basis, turn your collected cans in for money, keeping the money in a special fund. Your family could decide in advance on a goal for the money collected, such as purchasing a game for everyone to enjoy together, or a trip to an amusement park. Keep a chart that shows your progress in collecting money towards this goal. This is a great way to keep both children and adults excited about the family recycling efforts.

Non-Monetary Goals
There are also other goals you can set that do not involve money. For example, if you are collecting newspapers, you might decide to use them as a weed barrier in the aisles of your family garden, covering them with straw. If this is the case, then the goal would be to collect enough newspapers for the entire garden. Measure your garden aisles and calculate how many newspapers it would take in order to protect the entire garden from weeds. Then, make a chart above your newspaper collection area, so that you can mark your progress towards your goal as you add newspapers to the pile. You could also plan special recycling events for your family, such as a closet cleaning day with a goal of collecting ten toys for charity, which can be a good way of getting even small children involved in the process.