Recently, there has been a lot of conversation about the environment and how we can take small steps to make a big impact. We at Upcycler’s Lab believe that it is extremely important to have these conversations as early as possible in the child’s life. This will help in moulding the child’s mindset and behaviour towards the environment in the long term.
Below we have listed the 5 easiest ways to change your lifestyle and reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Plastic-Free Bottles
Even though plastic bottles are not banned, several of them contain harmful chemicals such as BPA. Moreover, most types of plastics leach harmful chemicals that are bad for your child*. Today, you can easily purchase steel, copper or earthen bottles that will have a positive impact on nature as well as your child’s health.
To see which companies make these products around you, click on the links below:
Clay Bottles: Buy here; Buy here
Steel Bottles: Buy here
Scroll down to see how you can bring in a change to the society as parents.
Step 2: Bamboo Toothbrushes
Every toothbrush ever made still exists today! Let that sink in. Now think about how many toothbrushes your family uses and how often they are replaced. Imagine a world full of waste that you leave behind for your child. Instead of that legacy, why don’t we teach our children how to coexist with nature instead?
Replace plastic toothbrushes with biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes: Buy here
Step 3: Say NO To The Straw And Other Single-Use Products
Straws can be easily removed from our lives as they serve no real purpose. They are also the most harmful for animals and marine creatures. With any kind of single-use, disposable products (including paper cups that are lined with harmful waxy coating), you are creating a huge amount of waste that isn’t going anywhere.
Instead, during your next party, use your own crockery and ask your child to help out with doing the dishes. This will not only teach them about the environment but will also teach them responsibility and how to be independent.
If you need to use a straw switch to paper, steel or bamboo: Buy here
If you have a super large party and need the convenience of disposables, switch to areca leaf plates: Buy here, Buy here
Step 4: DIY Products
The best thing to do with your child is making eco-friendly products together. It allows you to spend some quality, gadget-free time with your child while also teaching them the importance of saving the planet by eliminating harmful chemicals and packaging waste. Here are some cool ideas that you can try with your child.
DIY Soap:
Step 5: Upcycling
Upcycling is an amazing way to teach children how to see waste as a resource and allow them to explore their creativity. For this, you can essentially use any kind of dry waste that comes out of your home and let the child’s creativity run wild.
Here are some fun ideas with everyday waste that one can try:
Use your creativity to come out with your own ideas and methods to keep your child engaged in environmental conversations.
If you want your child to learn even more about waste and the issues around plastic, sign up for the KSP CODE Membership card so your kids can attend the free workshop we are conducting this Saturday. The workshop teaches waste segregation, reduce reuse recycle and much more through games and interactive discussions and for kids aged between 5-9 years.
Janani S Koushik
Mansi Zaveri
Payal Kothari
Soni Khadilkar
Mansi Zaveri
