KidNews

Pollution police: Kids can take lead keeping family green

Sometimes, it's not easy for a kid to be green. Environmentalists have all sorts of ideas on what adults can do to save the planet. But what can a kid do to make a difference?

One thing kids can do is encourage their parents to be more green, says Henry Henderson of the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group.

Henderson has two sons who make sure the family is turning off lights and reducing waste. "They are the most forward about recycling in the entire household; they've been very aggressive about it," Henderson says.

Kids also can be their family's pollution police. Here's how:

Cancel catalog subscriptions . If you're not placing regular orders, why do you need all those catalogs? "Recycling is an important element," Henderson says. "But cutting down on our waste is extraordinarily important."

Watch the thermostat. Henderson recommends keeping the temperature around 68 degrees in cold weather and above 70 degrees on warm summer days. Save the AC for scorching days when it's a necessity.

Bag the plastic problem. Plastic is made from petroleum in a process that sends pollutants into the environment. Plastic bags don't decompose in landfills, and have contributed to the deaths of sea animals who have ingested them. Henderson suggests shopping with a reusable tote bag.

Make your lunch less wasteful. Don't pack your sandwich in foil or stuff your chips into a small plastic bag. A reusable container will save 150 feet of aluminum foil and about 160 baggies in one school year. And throwing less away from lunch can help make a difference: Garbage dumped in a landfill produces a gas called methane, "a really powerful global warming pollutant," Henderson says.

Use real napkins. If a family of four uses paper napkins at every meal, they toss more than 4,200 napkins a year and spend an average of $80. Get your family using fabric napkins.

Make car rules. Decide as a family when driving isn't an option. For example, if the destination is less than a mile away and it's 70 degrees, you always walk or bike instead of taking the car. Cutting back on driving isn't just for the environment. Henderson says kids can help their family save money on gasoline by driving less.