Because it is inexpensive, durable and lightweight, plastic is everywhere—from juice pouches to toys and toothbrushes. However, this non-biodegradable, petroleum-based polymer poses significant problems, especially in single-use items that languish in landfills for hundreds of years, breaking up into harmful microplastics and nanoplastics that contaminate the soil, water and air. Beyond the environmental threats, plastic is a public health concern affecting every generation.

These tiny particles have been detected in human organs, with emerging research linking them to chronic diseases. A landmark 2024 study in The New England Journal of Medicine revealed that patients with microplastics and nanoplastics in the fatty plaques clogging their arteries were four-and-a-half times more likely to experience heart attacks, strokes or death compared to those with plastic-free plaques.

Teaching children how their choices impact the bigger picture doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Spring is a perfect time to establish lasting habits and empower kids to take pride in their contributions. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, often passionate about the environment and eager to adopt sustainable behaviors, embracing their role as participants that are enabling solutions.

 

Early Habits

Modeling eco-friendly behaviors is most impactful when kids are very young. “‘Normal’ gets defined in early childhood,” explains Melissa Valliant, communications director for Beyond Plastics, an environmental policy nonprofit based at Bennington College, in Vermont. “Kids don’t care whether a snack comes in a disposable plastic bag or a reusable container. They just accept it for what it is, and it becomes the norm. When reusables are part of a kid’s early life, they grow up recognizing that throwaway isn’t the default.”

Environmental education can be presented in an easy, fun way that empowers kids with solutions rather than instilling anxiety about the challenges. “Let kids know that there are things they can do to help with the problem, being matter-of-fact about how plastic gets into the environment and offering real, doable actions they can take,” counsels Maia McGuire, Ph.D., an associate program leader for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences and creator of the Florida Microplastic Awareness Project, which offers K-12 resources and citizen-science outreach materials.

Because single-use plastics are the most common and problematic plastic pollution, reusable alternatives are advised for school lunches, including reusable drink bottles, stainless steel food containers and beeswax wraps for snacks and sandwiches. Plastic toys can be phased out by choosing playthings made of sustainable materials such as Forest Stewardship Certified wood and paper, Global Organic Textile Standard cotton, vegetable inks and water-based paints.

“There’s no need for perfection. Perfection isn’t possible right now when consumer goods companies don’t offer enough plastic-free options,” says Valliant. “Get creative with what you have. If you made spaghetti last night with a jar of pasta sauce, use that glass jar for food storage in the future. Reuse toys, books and clothes from friends and family, and don’t forget about Goodwill or Facebook Marketplace. Don’t buy individually portioned snacks. Buy in bulk and portion them out into reusable containers yourself or choose loose produce for snacks instead. Reducing plastic is more about refusing plastic than it is purchasing replacements.”

 

Plastic Detective

“It’s important for kids to learn where materials come from, where they go and how daily choices add up,” says Valliant. Here are a few activities to help children identify problem areas in the home and brainstorm solutions.

 

•   Count household plastic items that could be swapped for reusables.

•   Find products with plastic-free packaging at the grocery store.

•   Sort the plastic trash, identifying what goes in the recycling bin and what does not.

•   Bring gloves and a trash bag on family walks to collect litter.

 

Problem Solver

“Kids love to help, and they love a good game,” says Valliant. “The main idea is to convey they’re part of the solution, and they matter.” To that end, kids will respond positively when they are invited to choose their own reusable items such as a water bottle that they can decorate with fun stickers, or when they are invited to engage in a Plastic-Free Friday challenge. Committing one day per week to ditching single-use plastics can help shift habits the rest of the week.

“Community events promoting sustainability help teach children that taking care of the planet isn’t something families do alone. It’s something we do together,” explains Valliant. “Cleanups help kids connect the dots between pollution and the environments they care about, while also showing they can effect change. Swaps normalize reuse, so kids grow up learning the importance of using what already exists.”

 

Nature Lover

Helping children love the natural world creates the foundation for sustainable habits. “I love taking kids outside and letting them explore. I encourage them to ask questions about what they see or hear,” says McGuire.

Valliant echoes this sentiment: “Two words: Get outside! At the risk of sounding 40 going on 80, kids these days don’t get enough of our natural world. Simply interacting with nature helps children form an emotional connection to it, which inspires them to protect it.”

 

Christina Connors is a writer, singer and workshop facilitator. Learn more at ChristinaConnors.com.

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