Here is what you, your family and your class can do to help.  

Print-outs:

Teacher's Tally Sheet (pdf) - Print this page, put it up in your classroom, and keep track of the times your students Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (see ideas below). Every time you reach 100 tallies, send an email to us here!

Family Tally Sheet (pdf) - Print this page, pin it on your refrigerator or cork board, and keep track of the times you and your family Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (see ideas below). Every time you reach 100 tallies, send an email to us here!

Environmental Coloring Book - On this site you will find many great print-outs to color!

Ideas for Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling:

Many items involve shopping so probably they are things you will ask your family to do. Many are things you can do.  And please brainstorm your own list.  You will think of things not here.

Reduce

• Buy only what you need.
• Don’t leave the water running when brushing teeth.
• Reduce paper waste by canceling unwanted catalogues (maybe ask a parent to do this).
• Think Before You Throw. Instead of throwing items away, reduce waste by using them for other things.
• Cardboard, Newspaper, Bubble Wrap and Packaging, such as foil and egg cartons, can be used for art projects & crafts.
• Lights. Don't leave lights on in rooms that you're not in. And use energy efficient light bulbs (compact fluorescents).

Reuse

• Paper bags make useful wrapping paper.
• Jars: by cleaning glass jars you can use them as small containers.   
• Scrap paper can be used to make notes and sketches. Recycle it when finished.
• Donate Old Clothes and Books.
 Other people can reuse your unwanted clothes and books when you donate them to others.
• Rechargeable Batteries can be reused many times before they need throwing away, opposed to regular batteries that create unnecessary waste.
• Shopping bags. You can buy fabric shopping bags and remind your family to use them instead of getting new bags each trip.

Recycle

• Many materials can be recycled, such as paper, plastic, metal and glass.
• Buy products that have been made from recycled material. You can tell if a product is eco-friendly by looking at the label on the packaging.
• Recycle bins. Make sure you have a recycle bin in your home. Keep it in an obvious place so you won't forget to use it.
• Recycling In The Garden: Composting is a process where waste degrades into compost, which can then be used in your garden to help it grow. It is an excellent way to recycle garden and kitchen scraps such as plant trimmings and leftover food.
• Grass cycling is an excellent way of recycling grass cuttings after mowing the lawn. Simply leave the cuttings on the ground instead of throwing them away; they will turn into nutrients and act as a fertilizer in the soil.
• Planting trees
 in your garden helps to improve the environment by reducing global warming and providing a home for many animals.