Australia is one of the leading countries when it comes to recycling, with 51 percent of its waste being utilised again for other purposes. This is partly because of the Government's Department of the Environment and Energy's Green Army initiative which aims to encourage local people to clean up local land. It's a great way to get people involved in community projects, and as such has met with great success. It's also due to the Government's willingness to make metal recyclers and other garbage disposal and recycling services much more available to the general public. Here are some ideas to help educate the younger generation to ensure this initiative is as successful in the future as it is now. 

Recycling at Home

If you want to get involved with any of these recycling initiatives then you can still take part by putting together your own recycling centre at home. It's easy enough and a great way to educate the kids about the importance of caring for the environment. Just buy a few cheap plastic bins, the size will depend on the amount of waste you throw away each week. Get the kids to paint on each bin various pictures of the different types of waste that they will hold.

For example, one could be covered in glass jars and bottles, another could be covered in paper and another could have drawings of organic products on it. Using lots of bright colours will make them seem more fun and inviting to use as well, then pop a recycling bag in and see how much you can recycle. Having a lid on top will prevent odours from escaping, as will rinsing out cans and bottles with a little water before you throw them away. You can even make a game out of recycling with your kids to see how much waste you can dispose of ethically in weight each week. 

Make it a Trip

If you have waste products such as metal or furniture that won't get collected by the council then use it as an excuse to take the kids to a recycling plant. In doing so you'll be showing them how waste gets disposed of, and allowing them to throw the waste into the bins will help them to connect with the act of recycling. If you make the trip fun and engaging, they'll be learning at the same time and will be more likely to want to go frequently which makes it less of a chore for you.  

For more information, contact local metal recyclers.

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