Get Into a Green Routine

The arrival of the much-anticipated spring season also means the celebration of our planet. Earth Day is April 22, and now more than ever, it’s crucial we all do our part to protect our planet for future generations. Here are some ways you can kick-start your family into a green routine this Earth Day.

The 3 Rs

What are they? Reduce, reuse, recycle. You might already do these things in some capacity, but can do you more? How can you further reduce waste? Are there more things in your home that can be reused? And is your recycling the best it can be? Try these tips:

Reduce: Work as a family to turn off all lights when you leave a room. Turn off appliances not in use. Teach your kids they shouldn’t run the water when brushing their teeth. If your washing machine and dishwasher have eco-friendly cycles, use them whenever possible and purchase energy-efficient light bulbs. Also, say no to bottled water and switch over to a reusable Thermos. Invest in rechargeable batteries to reduce hazardous waste.

Reuse: If your child needs to create something for school, rather than buying supplies see whether you can find materials around your house to use instead. Use your kids’ old artwork as eco-friendly (and adorable) wrapping paper. Donate unwanted clothing and household items to a family in need or to a shelter. Switch over to cloth napkins and towels and stop using disposable napkins, paper plates and paper towels. Utilize reusable grocery bags. And turn your food scraps into compost—great for the garden you’ll be creating! (See HowToCompost.org to get started.)

Recycle: Is your recycling center/method up to snuff? Do your kids know where to put recyclable materials? Does everyone in the house know what is recyclable? If you have young children, consider posting images of recyclable materials (like plastic bottles, paper, etc.) near the bin to remind them what goes where. If your town doesn’t accept glass in the recycling bin, commit to driving it to a drop-off center rather than throwing it away. Ensure that your recycling bins are easily accessible for all family members. If your bin is often too full, request an extra one from your city—they’ll drop it off next trash pickup day!

Park the Car

Okay, now that we've established the 3 Rs, what else can you do as a family to go as green as possible? Talk about other transportation options. Do you always need to drive to and from school or can you walk instead? Or ride a bike? Maybe Mom and Dad can bike to work, carpool or use public transportation to help reduce air pollution.

Homemade Cleaners

Try out some natural home remedies for cleaning rather than using store-bought chemicals that harm the environment. Cleaning with vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice is often just as effective. Check out this article for ideas: KeeperOfTheHome.org/homemade-all-natural-cleaning-recipes.

Get Your Gardening Gloves On

Consider growing a garden in your yard to help your family be more self-sustaining. Start simply with some tomatoes and peppers and work your way up. You’ve already got some soil rich with nutrients from that compost bin you created. No room for a garden? How about joining a community garden? KC-area residents can lease garden plots from $25 to $40. Check out OlatheCommunityGarden.org, OPGarden.org and KCCG.org for information.

Help Your Kids Advocate

Think about the other world your kids live in: school. They may mention the high volume of trash they see in the cafeteria after lunch. Brainstorm with them an action plan they could present to the school administration so that their school goes greener on a daily basis. How can their school reduce waste, use less energy or improve recycling methods? They also can pitch other ideas to their school, Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop or sports teams. How about setting up a day to clean a park and replant some flowers and trees? Know what trees produce? Oxygen!

Eat Local!

Whether you are dining out or shopping for groceries, support farmers in your area who do not use pesticides that harm our planet and who treat their animals safely and humanely. Buying local helps the environment by reducing energy used to transport products from farms in other states or nations. Check out a list of KC-area farm-to-table restaurants and farmers markets at these sites: KCParent.com/April-2013/Farm-to-Table-Dining-in-the-Heart-of-the-Midwest and KCParent.com/KC-Parent-Blogs/All-About-Kansas-City/Web-Exclusives-2016/Kansas-Citys-Farmers-Market-Guide.

Make the commitment this Earth Day! Leave the car in the garage, walk or bike where you need to go, make a donation to save endangered species and read The Lorax with your kids. Let’s get going on going green!

Quiz: (True or False)

• Eating locally grown foods does not help the environment. 
• Going green includes simple steps like turning the water off when you brush your teeth. 
• There are opportunities all over the KC area to join a community garden if you don’t have room for one in your own yard. 
• Homemade cleaners made from vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice are not nearly as effective as harsh chemicals in store-bought products. 
• The 3 Rs to remember are reduce, reuse and recycle. 
• Although some cities do not pick up glass in recycling bins, you can find drop-off locations through the KC area where glass can be deposited. 
• Eco-friendly light bulbs are too expensive and not worth the price. 
• A great way to spend Earth Day is reading The Loraxand teaching your kids about why Earth Day is important. 

Answer Key: 1) False, 2) True, 3) True, 4) False, 5) True, 6) True, 7) False, 8) True

Additional source: DailyDelights.SheKnows.com/articles/823899

Olathe mom Karen Johnson has three children, ages 6, 4 and 2. She writes at The21stCenturySAHM.com.