A few years ago on a summer trip to Canada, I was literally stopped in my tracks with the realization of how my family isn’t up to par with our efforts in contributing to such an essential way of living. I opened my friend’s kitchen cupboard to look for the trashcan.

The pail under her sink was so small, so cute

In my amazement I found something that hardly resembles the double-wide I have at my home.Their trashcan was the size of a child’s small plastic pail, the kind a child might use when collecting shells at the beach. I was surprised at first, and then came a rush of guilt.The pail under their sink was so small, so cute.The trash can(s) at my home were four times this size.

A family of five’s trash fit into an adorable pail

Our Canadian friends recycle. I thought we did too! The difference is they recycle absolutely everything—plastic, paper, glass, and they have a compost pile. That tiny bucket in their cupboard held their un-recyclable items.They made their everyday recycling habit appear so effortless. A family of five fit its week’s trash into this adorable little pail.

Fell of the wagon

Moving to Houston, Texas has brought many opportunities and friendships—however, it initially wasn’t very good for my family’s recycling habits. Our neighborhood didn’t promote recycling and we initially fell off the wagon and only recycled paper. It was so easy not to—we somehow just slipped out of the habit. Even I, who come from a strong lineage of recyclers. My dad had us crushing aluminum cans and rolling newspapers logs for the fireplace ever since I was a little girl.And, during the fifteen years we lived in England we joined in with a dedicated nation of fierce recyclers—as it was very convenient, easy, and everyone did it.

Why should we bother?

That summer trip shook me into the realization of my period of denial. I needed to get back on the path of recycling and teach my children (as I had been taught) through example—creating another generation of recyclers. Recycling has so many benefits, but two of the biggest are that it saves energy and prevents hazardous materials from ending up in the landfill.

In regards to energy, to create everyday products, such as papers, cans and plastics, a lot of fossil fuel is used, and therefore emissions, which of course in turn creates pollution. Recycling allows a more efficient use of resources.The more products we can recycle, the more energy we save for the planet and society as a whole. Period.

Let me hear from YOU! What tips or suggestions do you have for fellow readers about making recycling an everyday habit for your family?

Tags: Business, Canada, England, Enviroment, Environment, Family, Going Green, habit, Houston, Plastic, Recycling, Waste management, weil baby