I can get anyone's eyes to glaze over talking about food waste, recycling and other environmental issues. In fact, I'm pretty sure I can empty any room simply by discussing the intricate details of composting food waste. Problem is, this approach hadn't encouraged many budding environmentalists at home when I used it. In fact, it may have had the opposite effect.
So how best to encourage and nurture those earth friendly behaviors in our homes? This is the dilemma facing most of us when WE are the ones trying to save the environment and others aren't on quite the same page. It's not by forcing or coercing family members. It's by helping them see, learn and do. What do I mean by this? Help them see the issue, see that they can make a difference and make it easier for them to do it. Here's a quick start checklist:
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MAKE IT A LEARNING EXPERIENCE - don't assume anything when it comes to recycling or composting, and look to improve and update your knowledge from reputable sources. Your local waste management provider or recycler will usually have current information and often its free. Also check with your local park district or county extension office for additional resources. An example? I just finished a free composting class from our local park district that also included a composter, also free!
MAKE IT EASY - if it's too hard to sustain, your recycling or composting program may not last or be as effective as it could be. Set yourself up for success by having what you need at your fingertips. Keep your recycling bin at a location that's convenient for your family, like near the kitchen. Kitchen compost bins are a convenient and stylish way to collect food scraps. Newer designs will fit most any decor and minimize the smell and mess some associate with composting. There are even some kitchen composters that enable you to store food scraps in the freezer.
MAKE IT MEASURABLE - have a goal and make it measurable. For example, we have two goals at our house, no more than one small bag of 'trash' every two weeks and to obtain enough compost from our food waste to supply our vegetable garden. Having a goal will give you a measure of success for your efforts, gets everyone on the same page and serves as a gauge of when things are going really well, or might be going off track. Try starting with a small goal, and once successful with that, increasing it.
MAKE IT REWARDING - you really need to throw everybody a bone, so to speak. For most of us, it's knowing that we're doing the right thing. But recognizing an accomplishment will solidify the behavior, and can add fuel towards accomplishing the next goal. Be sure to acknowledge the individual as well as the entire family's contributions. Make the reward special for them! Is it a day trip? Choice of restaurant? Not sure? Ask them!
To sum it up, you may never, ever have everyone in your family seeing environmental issues with the same passion you do, but helping them see the issues and learn about them is a great way to pay it forward for our society and the planet.
Have any thoughts on this article? We'd love to hear from you!
