GREEN TEAM TIPS

There are 3 things you can do to insure success in reducing waste and make it fun!

#1 Keep it simple. Start by selecting a single action that will be easy for you to implement and will result in success. Add a second action once the initial one is running smoothly. If you are having trouble, don't give up, but pick a different task instead.

#2 Involve your family. Seek the input of your children from the beginning discussions to putting plans into action. Doing so tells them their ideas are important and will foster a sense of ownership. Talk with them after changes have been made and make revisions if necessary. Children often like to quantify the affect of the changes, by charting what has been kept out of the landfill - the weight of composted food, weight or number of items reused or recycled, etc.

#3 Encourage your neighbors and friends. Let them know what you are doing and invite them to participate along with you. Maybe you will decide to work on the same action step, but realize what works for one family may not work for another. Share the website information with others and help get them started. Suggest carpooling to take recyclables to drop-off centers.

You can have a positive affect by taking actions to most importantly, reduce your overall consumption. By comparison, the average North American consumes ten times as much as the average person living in China and thirty times as much as the average person living in India. After taking steps to reduce consumption, reuse what you can and recycle what you can't. Redefine your economic outlook to also value social and environmental costs of consumer products. Make your choices based on these actual costs.