Aim for a litterless lunch. Reusable, plastic containers eliminate the need for plastic wrap and keep your food from getting crushed. And by using your own refillable containers, you can buy food in bulk instead of purchasing the more expensive one-serving sizes. Finally, pack the whole lot in a reusable lunch box or cloth bag instead of a disposable paper bag. There's no better place to learn about the environment than in school.
Crafts are a big part of learning for children in the early grades.
Making toys and art out of old packaging material like paper, cardboard, glass and plastic teaches the value of reusing and recycling in a fun way. Older students could get the ball rolling by starting an environmental club, a school waste recycling or compost program, or a text book exchange. Such a club could organize field trips to waste treatment and landfill sites, or plan a nature hike in the woods to remind everyone what we're aiming for - a lasting, healthy environment.