(ARA) – No matter the season, families can reduce, reuse and recycle with a little planning and organization. With a wealth of information available at your fingertips, it’s easy to develop a plan that fits your family.

The key to thinking earth-friendly 365 days a year is to get the entire family involved so everyone feels like they’re a part of the solution. Initiatives like the Elmer’s Glue Crew Recycling program help to teach kids about recycling and have fun doing it. Here are some easy ways for the entire family to focus on earth-friendly learning and activities all year long:

Design a recycling bin

One of the most important steps in sticking with a recycling program for the family is getting children involved in a hands-on way. An easy and fun way to do this is to have kids design a collection bin for all your recyclable items, such as newspapers, cans and glue bottles. Giving them the freedom to design the bin however they want is a great way to emphasize the fun benefits of recycling at an early age.

Use a recycling chart

A great way to get the family thinking about recycling all year is through a monthly recycling chart. Develop a simple chart or thermometer graph and hang it in an easily accessible place. Each week, the kids can chart how many items the family recycled. It’s a great way to sharpen math skills while taking care of the environment. For an added twist, set recycling-focused goals for the family each month and when those goals are achieved, reward everyone with a movie or some ice cream.

Start a repair day

Implement a monthly repair day in which the entire family works together to repair household items that might need a little TLC. By working together on a consistent basis to repair what you already have, you can teach children the value of repairing and reusing. With a little teamwork, a couple drops of glue and some elbow grease, your house will be in tip-top shape each month.

By implementing a couple of these ideas you can help the entire family focus on the benefits of earth-friendly living all year long. For more environmentally-focused tips and recycling program ideas, visit www.elmersgluecrew.com.