Earth Day is celebrated now in April, so this is the perfect time to start teaching our kids the importance of being eco-friendly. And what better way to inspire them than to turn recycling into a fun game that will help conserve our planet, too! It is this month’s Design Detail, which is where I highlight a quick DIY project on a budget.
The concept is to have separate bins in their bedroom and/or playroom where the children can learn how to recycle items properly and dispose of garbage. I began by purchasing three waste baskets for only $2.00 each at Target. Instead of placing them on the floor like a typical waste basket, I made them part of the room’s décor by hanging them on the wall. It makes recycling fun as the kids can attempt to throw the items into the baskets as if they were basketball hoops! I hung the bins from a simple drawer knob, but you can also use a larger cup hook. Just keep in mind that the idea is to be able to take them off when they are full and put back on, so you don’t want to screw them permanently to the wall.
The most important step is to label the baskets accordingly for recycling the different items and this where the children can also help. I used adhesive letters that can be purchased at any craft store and separated the bins into plastic, paper and garbage. Super easy to do!
I implemented this concept in a playroom, but you can also do the same in your garage or kitchen and add more bins for the adults to include aluminum and glass. It’s a rewarding activity where the entire family can contribute as a team and do their part to conserve our planet!
Martin Amado is a television designer, lifestyle expert, and contributing writer on the subject of home décor. He is the designer on the national home makeover program, Decorando Contigo, airing on the Spanish-language Galavision Network and can also be seen on Room for Improvement on WSVN 7 News, a FOX affiliate in Miami, FL. He works exclusively with clients through his home styling company, The WOW Factor!, Inc., where he specializes in one-day makeovers and working with a minimal budget to achieve the decorator look for less! For more information, please visit his website: martinamado.com.
