Trash talk: How waste audits can empower kids to protect the planet

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Trash talk: How waste audits can empower kids to protect the planet
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Once kids understand that their trash doesn’t just go away, they can feel empowered to make changes in their behavior

, all operating U.S. landfills will be full in 62 years if we continue this pace of waste.

It might be difficult at first for your kids to see all the waste that your family has created—they might’ve already forgotten about that toy packaging or half-eaten sandwich they discarded a few days ago. But once kids understand that their trash doesn’t just go away, they can feel empowered to make changes in their behavior that will result in real-life consequences.

“A trash audit can increase a kid’s sense of efficacy in addressing environmental problems,” says Susan Clayton, a conservation psychologist and professor of psychology at the College of Wooster. Trash audits are built around a concept called self-monitoring, which means being aware of your own behavior. For example, you might notice a higher charge than usual on a water bill, and then later you’ll think to turn off the tap while you’re brushing your teeth.Nicole SintovAfter the audit, the Farr family realized they could divert half their waste from the trash can to the compost bin.

Ready to review your refuse? Check out options for either a trash audit or trash inventory, based on your space, time, and willingness to get dirty.• Paper and pencil. Choose a trash can to review and a time to do the audit when the bin is pretty full. Then find the space. . Dump the contents of the trash can onto the tarp. Wearing rubber gloves, separate the trash into piles: food waste, recyclable stuff, and true trash. Then keep sorting the items by type, depending on what you have.

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