It’s time to hit the reset button on how we manage our resources. With a great population of young North Americans yearning for stronger policies and tangible actions in the fight against climate change, there’s no better time for parents to teach their kids about a circular economy and its benefits. It’s time to redefine value and prioritize environmental protection and social well-being.
The circular economy is an economic model that aims to reduce waste and promote sustainability by keeping resources in use for as long as possible. It is becoming increasingly important for individuals, businesses, and governments to adopt this model to mitigate the negative impacts of human activity on the environment and preserve natural resources for future generations.
Parents play a crucial role in shaping the values and behaviours of their children, and teaching them about the circular economy is one way to instill a sense of responsibility and awareness of the ecological impacts of their actions.
WHAT KIDS LEARN
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Encouraging responsible consumption: By teaching children about the circular economy, parents can encourage responsible consumption habits, such as buying products made from sustainable materials, recycling, and repairing and reusing items instead of throwing them away.
- Reducing waste: Children who understand the concept of the circular economy are more likely to be conscious of their consumption and waste production. They may be more inclined to reduce their use of single-use plastics, for example, or to compost food scraps rather than throw them in the trash.
- Fostering creativity and innovation: The circular economy relies on creative solutions to reduce waste and extend the life of products and resources. By teaching children about this concept, parents can encourage them to think outside the box about how to reuse or repurpose items that would otherwise be discarded. Why recycle a cardboard egg carton when it’s already a biodegradable seedling planter?
- Supporting a sustainable future: By teaching children about circularity, parents can help them understand the importance of preserving natural resources and reducing waste, encouraging them to play an active role in building a more sustainable world, and in moving past consumerism’s one-and-done approach.
10 WAYS TO TAKE ACTION
The concepts of the circular economy represent big and bold steps, but they are actioned by everyday shifts in what and how we produce and consume. People everywhere can make their own changes to encourage the transition to a more circular lifestyle. First, decide whether you really need to buy new; rethink the need—is it a need or a want? If it’s a need, you can vote with your dollar to support innovation and further development of circular solutions. Prioritizing products that are designed to be reused, refurbished, repaired, and dismantled is a great place to start, as is supporting companies that will lease or rent their products (e.g., as-a-service companies), or those that offer to take their items back for recycling after use. The most important thing is to teach our children.
- Model sustainable behaviour: Children learn by example, so parents need to model sustainable practices in their daily lives. For example, parents can demonstrate recycling, composting, upcycling, and conscious consumer habits like buying products made from sustainable materials and avoiding single-use plastics.
- Engage in hands-on activities: Parents can engage their children in hands-on activities that teach them about the circular economy. For example, they can involve their children in repairing and repurposing old items around the house, or in gardening and composting.
- Watch educational videos: There are many educational videos available online that explain the concept of the circular economy in age-appropriate ways. Parents can watch these videos with their children to help them understand the importance of reducing waste and preserving natural resources.
- Read books about sustainability: There are many books available that teach children about sustainability. Parents can read these books with their children to help them learn about the importance of protecting the environment.
- Discuss current events: Parents can use current events, such as reports on the impacts of climate change, as springboards for discussions about the circular economy and sustainability.
- Get involved in community initiatives: Parents can get involved in community initiatives supporting a circular economy, such as community composting programs or recycling drives. By involving their children in these activities, they help them develop a sense of personal responsibility and awareness.
- Spearhead your own event: You can organize your own event, like a shoreline cleanup, or a pop-up clothing swap. You can download an event organization kit from our website (circulareconomymonth.ca), so it’s easier than you think. Post your event on our website and we’ll even help you promote it!
- Advocate for a circular economy curriculum: The Circular Economy Month website offers a bilingual downloadable kit for schools to help plan activities, conduct a waste assessment, and implement a waste reduction action plan. Encourage teachers to incorporate these materials into their curriculum. It’s easy to use and filled with helpful resources from experts, including through our partnership with the LEGO Replay for Schools program.
- Take the food waste pledge: See what you and your child already know about food waste by filling out the short quiz on our website. Then choose an action you want to take and make the pledge together.
- Advocate for action: Multiply your efforts by spreading the word! Write your local municipality to have them proclaim Circular Economy Month. Get a local monument or landmark to light up blue and green to mark the occasion and spread awareness.
Teaching children about the circular economy is an ongoing process that requires caregivers to model sustainable behaviour and engage their children in educational activities and resources.
