Finding the Pollution Solution: Simple tips to teach children how we can stop pollution.

1)    Practice what you preach.  Teach children that many chemicals in products such as pesticides, cleaning products, lawn and garden products can be harmful to the environment.  Demonstrate your commitment to the environment by purchasing and using only organic or chemical free products.

2)    Don’t litter!  This tip is possibly the simplest solution to how we can stop pollution.  Avoid throwing trash such as, empty cans, bottle or wrappers onto the ground.  If you see an outdoor area where there is litter, set a good example by cleaning it up, and recycling any recyclable litter.

3)    Recycle as much as you can – separate your trash into recyclables; paper, plastic, aluminum, cardboard, etc for recycling collection.  Landfill space (where all our trash goes) is filling rapidly.  To avoid the future need to allocate precious, open land and natural habitats for landfill capacity, teach your children that much of what we throw away can be easily recycled.

4)    Never put any chemicals, soaps, or toxins down storm drains.  These storm drains wash into streams and rivers where fish, birds, and other animals will suffer the consequences.  Instead, dispose of any pollutants properly and safely.  Motor oil can be particularly damaging to the environment.  Always recycle your used motor oil and filters.  For a list of guidelines, regulations, and collection centers local to you, visit your town website or contact the administration officials at your town or city hall.

5)    Compost anything organic.  Composting is a great way to create new, organic, rich, healthy soil for your yard and garden, while preserving landfill space.  Dispose of vegetable peelings, fruit rinds, egg shells, leftovers, leave and yard waste clippings, in a compost container.  Many cities and towns issue these compost containers free of charge.