Tips for Teaching Kids to Go Green by CareFair.com

Tips for Teaching Kids to Go Green
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Growing up we were all taught about the importance of not littering, how to recycle, and why it is important to not waste water or electricity. However, the Green Movement has become more involved and now just the basics aren’t enough to keep our planet in good shape. Help your family step up its game by teaching your little ones about what they can do to “go green.”

If you’re the parent of younger children (preschool age), you can start teaching them about going green through the use of food. What better way to teach a lesson than through their stomach? Start out by showing your kids how fruits and vegetables are good for their bodies. Next, have them pick out their favorite ones to eat and show them which parts can be used for compost. This is a great way to show your children that food can be used for other purposes and don’t always have to be tossed in the trash. To help them get exercise while young, it also helps to walk to your destinations when possible. Instead of driving to the park to play, take a short walk, or start a family tradition of walking around the neighborhood a few days out of the week. This keeps your car off the road and not only spares the air but your wallet as well.

Parents of children in grade school can incorporate green ideas into their kids’ daily lives. During this stage in life, children are learning how to brush their own teeth, wash their hands, and maintain good hygiene. Take this time to teach them to get into the habit of turning the water off while they are doing such activities and only turning it back on when it is time to rinse. Your kids can also learn good habits when it comes to turning off the TV or unplugging their computer at night. Leaving a computer or laptop on overnight takes up more energy than you would think and can make a big difference in your utility bill. On that same note, teach your kids to put on a sweater or grab a blanket if they are cold to avoid turning on the heater unnecessarily, or to lose the layers during hot weather so you don’t have to use air conditioning.

As your kids get older (high school), begin showing them how to use organic or all natural versions of their favorite household items and personal care products. This gives the environment a break and will be better for their health in the long run. With these good habits in place, your kids will carry these practices with them to college and into their adult lives when they have their own homes.

eHow article on How to teach your kids to recycle.

We found this article that offers simple tools and tips on how to teach your kids to recycle.

Green Toys™ Inc. Announces 2009 Line of Toys Made in the U.S.A. from Recycled Plastic Milk Containers

Green Toys™ Inc., an innovator in safe, environmentally responsible, US-made children’s products, today announced its spring 2009 product offering. The line will debut at the American International Toy Fair, taking place February 15-18, 2009 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, booth #1663-E. Green Toys Inc. uses recycled plastic milk containers to make classic toys that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, all Green Toys™ packaging is made from recyclable corrugated materials.

"For 2009, we're committed to the strategy that served us well in 2008," says Robert von Goeben, co-founder and president of Green Toys Inc. "Our customers say they love Green Toys’ products and want more. We've responded by adding classic new products, while staying true to our core mission of providing the safest US-made, eco-friendly toys."

Green Toys™ products for spring 2009 include a Recycling Truck, Dump Truck, Tool Kit, EcoSaucer™ Flying Disc and Jump Rope. Winners of numerous awards, Green Toys’ products have proven themselves as best-sellers at a wide variety of retail outlets. The company’s offering continues to include the multi-award winning Green Toys™ Tea Set, Cookware and Dining Set, Sand Play Set and Indoor Gardening Kit.

Last year Green Toys brand toys received many top accolades, including being named one of Parenting Magazine’s 2008 Toys of the Year and Dr. Toy’s Green Toy Company of the Year Award.

Green Toys products continue to achieve the highest standards in toy safety by assuring its toys contain no BPA, phthalates or lead paint, and comply with the new strict standards of the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

Being “green” also means doing business locally. All Green Toys Inc. operations are located within close proximity of one another in Northern California, which helps reduce its carbon footprint by avoiding long transportation distances.

About Green Toys
Green Toys Inc. was created to provide an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastic toys while making an effort to improve and preserve the world around us. Green Toys’ classic toys promote recycling, save energy and greenhouse gas emissions, and help increase the overall health and happiness of the planet. More information is available about Green Toys by clicking HERE.

Virginia Naturally - Carbon Footprint Calculator

CLICK HERE to be taken to the Virginia Naturally carbon footprint calculators. What is your footprint?

A PLEDGE FOR OUR PLANET

Evidence shows that man-made greenhouse gas emissions cause Global Warming. But did you also know that the average American causes 40,000 pounds of harmful CO2 emissions to be released into the Earth's atmosphere each year? That's a whole lot of gas!

There are simple actions we can all take to help curb Global Warming. The Lick Global Warming Campaign is all about people taking ACTION. Here are two actions you can take to be part of the solution:
Take Action! Make a personal commitment to reduce your annual CO2 emissions by 5% or 2000 lbs.


Talk Action! Give voice to your concerns. Tell Congress that you’re doing your part and they need to do theirs.

Click HERE to be taken to the Lick Global Warming page that includes a table with which you can determine how you can make a difference!