Recycling: Overview

What is Recycling?

Recycling is turning things into other things-which is like magic! Recycling is like giving old things a new life. It's about turning used items into something useful again instead of throwing them away.

Recycling  is the process of collecting, sorting, and reprocessing materials that have been used and discarded, with the aim of converting them into new products. It involves identifying materials that can be recycled, separating them from other waste, and sending them to facilities where they are cleaned, processed, and transformed into new items. Recycling helps to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and minimize the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or incinerators. It's an important way for children to contribute to environmental protection and sustainability by giving new life to materials that would otherwise be thrown away.

Fast Facts!

1. Recycling Saves Energy: Recycling aluminum cans saves 95% of the energy required to make the same amount of aluminum from raw materials.
   
2. Glass is Forever: Glass can be recycled endlessly without losing its quality, meaning that a glass bottle you recycle today could become a new glass bottle in the future.
   
3. Paper Recycling: Recycling one ton of paper saves around 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, and 463 gallons of oil.
   
4. Plastic Fantastic: Plastic bottles can be recycled into many different products, including fleece jackets, playground equipment, and new bottles.
   
5. Recycling Reduces Pollution: Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators, which helps to reduce air and water pollution.
   
6. The Three R's: There are three main principles of recycling: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. By following these principles, we can minimize waste and protect the environment.
   
7. Composting: Composting is another form of recycling that turns food scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil for gardens and plants.
   
8. E-Waste: Electronic waste, or e-waste, contains valuable materials like gold, silver, and copper that can be recycled. Recycling e-waste prevents hazardous materials from polluting the environment.
   
9. Recycling Symbols: The chasing arrows recycling symbol with a number inside indicates the type of plastic used in a product and helps with sorting and recycling.
   
10. Recycling Heroes: People who recycle are often called "recycling heroes" because they help protect the environment and conserve natural resources.​

Why Teach Young Children about Recycling?​
​One of the most important things you can teach your child is the importance of caring for the environment. One of the easiest ways to do this is by teaching them about recycling!  In learning how to recycle, children are exposed to a host of other learning possibilities. Given that recycling is about a process—the creation of materials, their subsequent use, and their disposal, it offers plenty of facets to explore. Ecosystems, consumer culture, properties of different materials like plastic and glass: these are just some of the topics one could delve into with recycling as the starting point.
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Teaching young children about recycling is not only about protecting the environment but also about empowering them to become informed, responsible, and environmentally conscious individuals who can make a positive impact on the world.Preschoolers are like sponges, eagerly absorbing new information and experiences. By engaging them in recycling activities, we provide them with the opportunity to develop a strong connection to nature and a sense of ownership over their actions. Encouraging environmental stewardship at such a tender age sets the foundation for lifelong habits that benefit not only the planet but also the well-being of our children.

• Environmental Awareness: By learning about recycling, kids develop an understanding of how their actions impact the environment. They learn that recycling helps conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and protect wildlife habitats.
• Responsibility: Teaching kids about recycling instills a sense of responsibility for the planet. They learn that they have a role to play in caring for the environment and that small actions, like recycling, can make a big difference.
• Sustainability: Recycling is an essential part of sustainable living. By teaching kids about recycling, we are equipping them with the knowledge and skills to live more sustainably and responsibly.
• Life Skills: Recycling teaches kids valuable life skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and teamwork. They learn how to sort and manage waste, make informed choices about consumption, and collaborate with others to achieve common goals.
• Global Citizenship: In a globalized world, understanding environmental issues like recycling is essential for being a responsible global citizen. Teaching kids about recycling helps them develop a sense of interconnectedness with people and ecosystems around the world.
• Behavioral Influence: Children are impressionable and often mimic the behaviors they see around them. By teaching them about recycling early on, they are more likely to adopt eco-friendly habits and become responsible stewards of the environment as they grow older.
• Resource Conservation: Recycling reduces the need for raw materials, conserving natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals. Teaching children about recycling instills in them the concept of resource conservation and the idea that materials can be reused and repurposed instead of being thrown away.
• Waste Reduction: Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, thereby minimizing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. By teaching children about recycling, we empower them to make choices that contribute to waste reduction and a cleaner environment.
• Community Engagement: Learning about recycling encourages children to become active participants in their communities. They can take part in recycling programs, clean-up efforts, and other eco-friendly initiatives, fostering a sense of responsibility and belonging.
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Understanding the recycling process involves critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Children learn to identify different materials, sort them accordingly, and understand the impact of their actions on the environment, promoting cognitive development.
• Empowerment: Teaching children about recycling empowers them to make a positive difference in the world around them. By showing them that their actions matter and that they can contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet, we inspire them to take ownership of their environmental impact.

   FUN FACT: More than 75% of waste is recyclable, but only about 30% is actually recycled.

Why Recycle?
Recycling is something we can do every day to help the Earth. By recycling and taking care of our planet, we can make a big difference in protecting the environment for the future.

• Recycling protects our valuable planet.
• Recycling saves energy.
• Recycling saves clean air and clean water.
• Recycling saves landfill space.
• Recycling can save money and create jobs.
• Recycling can help the animals​