Conservation for Kids: Learn to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

September 17, 2024 byTrey Edgington

4 min to read

Your child is undoubtedly familiar with the concept of recycling. Perhaps they own something “made from recycled materials.” Or maybe your family recycles empty bottles and cans, and your child knows to put these items in the recycling bin. They probably even recognize the recycling symbol on the bottom of these recyclables.

So, does your child have a thorough understanding of recycling? What about reusing common household items and reducing waste? There’s a lot to learn about sustainability, and the three R’s are a great place to start.

Knowing the importance of conservation, the science of composting, and the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources is just the beginning. Most importantly, the three R’s can also help your child develop their creative thinking and strategic skills—and gain a deep respect for the environment.

Take your child’s understanding of recycling to the next level with a hands-on strategy.

What Are the 3 R’s?

Before you and your student take action, you may want to ask yourselves, “What is conservation, and how does the three R’s concept help conversation efforts?” After answering these questions, it’s time to review the three R’s and discuss any concepts that are new to your child.

Make sure your child develops a solid understanding of the three R’s concept by reviewing the vocabulary.

Reduce: to limit the number of resources you use and the waste you create
Reuse: to use something more than once
Recycle: to dispose of items in a way that allows them to be used make new products

Once you and your student have reviewed the definitions, discuss renewable and nonrenewable resources. What are some examples of each? What do the three R’s have to do with renewable and nonrenewable resources? How are the three R’s related to each other?

Next, discuss ways that you and your family can reduce, reuse, and recycle.

How to Reduce Waste

Walk, ride a bike, carpool, or use public transportation instead of driving your own car.
Turn on the lights only when necessary and switch them off when you leave the room.
Collect rainwater in a bucket and use it to wash a car or bike instead of using a hose.
Hang clothes outside to air-dry on a nice day.
Make your own natural cleaning solutions.

Help your student practice logical thinking skills by writing down what resource is being reduced in each of the above examples.

How to Reuse

Take a reusable bag to the grocery store.
Donate old clothes or toys to those in need.
Keep empty glass bottles to hold water or other beverages.
Choose reusable school items such as dry-erase boards.
Buy rechargeable batteries.

Students who are really interested in reducing the resources they use can try measuring their progress. For example, students can weigh a week’s worth of trash before trying to reduce the amount of waste in the house. They can then focus on reducing waste, and after a week, they can measure the garbage bag again. Does it weigh less than it did before?

How to Recycle

Set up recycling bins at home and take empty plastic and glass bottles, aluminum cans, cardboard, and newspaper to the nearest recycling center if your community doesn’t have recycling pickup.
Start a compost pile.
Make crafts using paper bags, milk jugs, cereal boxes, and other items from around the house. One fun idea is to recycle crayons.
Take old phones, computers, and other technological devices to a recycling center.
Buy recycled paper.

Start a Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Project

Once your student has reviewed the three R’s, it’s time for some hands-on exploration—also known as project-based learning. Work with them to plan an independent project using the guidelines below.

Figure out a way to reduce, reuse, and recycle more often, and set a specific, measurable goal. For example, consider a composting project and measuring the weight of trash at set intervals as mentioned above.
List each task you will do to achieve your goal and when you’ll do them.
Decide how you want to keep track of your progress. Will you use a notebook, calendar, computer, etc.?
Decide how long the project will last.
Figure out how it will have a lasting impact.
Create a plan for getting others involved in your project or inspiring them to start their own project.
Form a list of strategies and activities you will do to learn more about the three R’s.

Planning and completing a project make the three R’s personally relevant to your student, which can help teach the importance of conservation and convey our role in protecting the environment.