On America Recycles Day, we're recycling some of our favorite picks

Our kids have been separating paper from plastics since they were only yea high, but today on America Recycles Day, we're taking a look at the RecycleBank website for Tessa Hills' Recycling Tips for Kids to find easy ways to make big changes in how our family impacts the environment. For help in bringing these lessons on sustainable living to life, here are some of our favorite past products and services to make going green all more fun for you and the kids.

 

1. Swap everything: We love getting rid of the things we don't need in exchange for things we do. Swap Mamas combines the fun of social media with the convenience of the neighborhood consignment shop. Trade, give stuff away or barter for services while decluttering your life--what's not to love?. And, Zwaggle and Swap Tree let us post our unneeded items for points that can than be used to get the stuff we need. Think of it as giving your stuff a second life outside of the box in the attic. 

2. Reuse a napkin for a week: Switching to cloth napkins for a week is a smart way to see how easy it is to make the switch from paper. Kids will love the adorable styles and kid-sizes of mika & bu's 100% organic cotton napkins. For the grown ups, we think Michelle Brusegaard's cloth napkins will make even leftovers feel more special.

3. Create less trash: We can't be sure of what happens to the food in the lunches we pack, but at least we can put less packaging in the trash with the waste-free lunch kits from Kids Konserve or the eco-friendly, reusable, and totally cute lunch bags from Graze or 3greenmoms. And since juice boxes are so 2001, check out Klean Kanteens stainless steel sports bottles that will tote milk, juice, or plain ol' water in colorful style. For preschoolers, the easy-to-open, BPA-free Safe Sporter from Kid Basix will let them rehydrate on their own without wearing the entire beverage on their shirt.  

4. Throw a green birthday party: Green Planet Parties has everything a parent needs to throw a fun, festive birthday party without the ugliness of stuffed-to-overflowing trash bags after the last guest leaves. Look around the site for reusable party banners, tablecloths, and bio-degrable palm leaf plates. When it's your turn to hit the party circuit, the reusable cloth gift bags from Living Ethos are a smart, colorful choice and bring new meaning to the term regifting.

5. Conserve resources: Talking to our kids about recycling, carbon footprints and quitting the endless water play in the kitchen sink can sound b-o-r-i-n-g, so we are always looking for ways to make a serious subject more accessible. For this, Schoolhouse Rock has their smart new DVD Schoolhouse Rock! Earth. Don't be surprised if the kids teach you a thing or two. -Christina

You'll find Recycling Tips for Kids at RecycleBank. For even more kid-friendly recycling tips, check out Kids For Saving Earth.

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