Why You Should Teach Kids About Scrap Metal Recycling

Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or an older sibling, if you have a child in your life, you probably feel a responsibility to teach him or her about the world we live in. This includes helping the little one grow-up with an understanding of how important recycling is. If the next generation doesn’t understand why we must reduce, reuse, and recycle, the environment we all share is going to pay the price. Here, you’ll discover why (and how!) you should teach the kids you know about scrap metal recycling.

Start with the basics.

Remember, you’re dealing with children who may not have a firm grasp of what recycling even is, so it’s important to start with the basics. The more they know about recycling in general and why it matters, the easier it will be to introduce the idea of scrap metal recycling. Once you’ve established what recycling is, ask questions like, “Do you know what ‘scrap metal’ means?,” “Do you know where you can take scrap metal to sell it?,” and “Did you know metal could be reused like plastic or cardboard?”

Teach kids why scrap metal matters.

Once you’ve introduced the idea of scrap metal to children, you should start teaching them why recycling it is important. Discuss how metals, such as aluminum and copper, are not man-made, so we can’t just produce more if our natural supply runs out; recycling metal products helps prevent this from happening. Furthermore, point out that many metals contain toxic chemicals that can ultimately seep into the ground, and human water supplies if they are simply dumped in landfills.

Teachers should take action.

If you are a teacher, you have the ability to let kids not only learn about recycling but see it in action. Call your local street department or City Hall and find out if you can schedule a field trip to your area’s recycling center. This will give the children in your class the ability to see firsthand how recycling makes an impact on their everyday lives. They will also be able to ask questions and get answers from people who work in the recycling industry.

Parents should set an example.

At home, parents can illustrate how important recycling is by letting their kids see them do it. If you throw recyclables in the trash, your sons and daughters are likely to follow your lead; the same holds true if you make a point of recycling everything you can. Specifically, in regard to scrap metal recycling, let your children accompany you to a scrap metal buying facility in your region. By involving them in the process, they will probably become more interested.

No matter how old we are, the way we treat the earth matters. This is why it is so critical to start teaching kids about all sorts of recycling, including scrap metal recycling, from the time they are old enough to understand the concept. As they get older, they will make lifestyle changes that will benefit the earth for many years to come. If you are interested in learning more about scrap metal recycling, contact Allied Recycling Center. You can call us at  (508) 668-8699 or contact us on our website.