Make recycling fun, easy for the whole family

Getting the whole family involved in something as simple as recycling can make a difference and can even be fun and easy.

Take glass, for instance. All those jars of pasta sauce, beverage bottles and mayonnaise containers can really pile up. Recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a 60-watt bulb for four hours, a computer for 30 minutes or a television for 20 minutes.

Each American discards approximately 500 pounds of glass per year, sending more than 11 million tons to landfills. Every ton that ends up in the landfill could have been recycled.

Here's how to get the whole family involved in recycling:

+Set basic ground rules for different family members. Figure out who will be responsible for what recycling jobs and then have a practice session.

+Reward good behavior. Let the family member in charge of recycling choose a special treat. Rotate this task so everyone enjoys the fruits of the family's recycling labor.

+Post some easy instructions near the recycling area, listing what items should be recycled and any necessary handling instructions for them.

+Make sure the storage containers are low enough for children to reach but high enough to make sorting easy. Consider placing them on wheels to make moving them a snap.

+To make things simpler for young children, label the recycling containers or bins by putting pictures on them of what goes inside or by colorcoding or marking them.

+Make decorating the containers a family affair, especially if they will be visible to family members and visitors. Paint them, cover them with wallpaper or decorate them more fancifully to match the room's decor. If the recycling is collected curbside, be sure decorated bins meet local regulations or use different containers outside.

+Always have supplies on hand, such as liner bags or twine for bundling newspaper. Package everything according to local regulations.

The best incentive for the family may be knowing they are doing their part to help the environment by helping food packagers reuse such materials as glass.

This story is provided by State Point Media.