Growing Kids Green

By J.K. Perry

Want to teach your kids the importance of the environment? Take them on a hike. “The first principle is understanding we are not separate from the environment,” said Matt Scherr, executive director for the environmental nonprofit group Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability. “Once you have an appreciation and understanding of the environment, try to get rid of that sense of ‘away’ — when you flush it away or throw it away.”

Processed materials — like plastic — often don’t break down and naturally renenter the environment when thrown away. The waste piles into landfills and other places out of sight. So Scherr recommends parents teach their children to limit waste and make necessary waste useful.

Scherr started his kids early. They recycle and throw easily-degradable trash into an odorless indoor compost — sometimes with worms, sometimes without. The real-time science experiment intrigues children, Scherr said. “They like to watch what happens to stuff,” he said. Once the trash breaks down, the compost turns into soil. Plus, composting garbage means less garbage to haul to the curb, which is always a bonus among children. Here are some tips Scherr and other environmental gurus recommend for parents and children:

• The first principle is to foster a connection to nature and an understanding that trash doesn’t disappear and often doesn’t break down.
• Visit a landfill. Eagle County’s is north of Wolcott. Again, trash isn’t out of sight, out of mind.
• Compost. Lawn clippings, food, paper towels and newspapers all break down.
• Recycle cans, plastic and other materials to be used again. “It helps (kids) understand waste is still a useful product,” Scherr said.
• Start a recycling or energy-saving program at school. It can start simple — making sure computers are turned off at night, for example.

To get involved visit Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability web site at www.eaglevalleyalliance.org