Why are Only 200 Schools in Canada Enrolled in Recycling Programs?

EDMONTON, AB, August 25, 2011 (Press-News.org) By now most people know all about the three R's: Recycle, Reduce and Reuse. Governments are offering more programs and incentives for Recycling. Low-emission cars and energy-efficient everything are helping us reduce needless usage. But what, exactly, are we doing to Reuse?

"Not much," says Linda Bodo, an Edmonton-based expert with two bestselling books on the subject. "Go to any store anywhere and you'll see hundreds of items sold in un-reusable, un-recyclable packaging. Most of what we buy in the store is designed to be used once. That has got to change."

Linda notes that the cheap cost of consumer products combined with a total lack of incentives for manufacturers to use recycled products and poor government pressure, there isn't a lot of motivation for the average person to consider upcycling.

Education could be used much more to connect with their students about upcycling − but isn't. Linda applauds those that are taking upcycling and recycling to a new level. But there aren't enough educators doing that.

"A company called Terracycle now runs an education and fundraising campaign in elementary schools across North America. Students who participate in the program are charged with collecting non-recyclable waste and send it into Terracycle who then turn around and use the waste to create products sold in the retail market. Students are
then given $0.02 per item for use as field trip admission and other similar things.
Though the program is popular in the States, with more than 30,000 schools are currently participating, the same cannot be said for Canada. Shockingly, only 200 schools are currently involved in the program and they only have one major sponsor: Kraft."

So what's holding us back from increasing participation in such obviously beneficial programs? Is it simply a lack of education on the subject? Education seems to be the central point. Bodo insists, "It doesn't have to be some pie-in-the-sky project. Whole families can get involved - kids especially like to make sure nothing makes it into
the trash that shouldn't. And fostering creativity with waste stream materials is infinitely self-satisfying for anyone that prefers projects that are less crafty and more cool."

Kids that are educated in Upcycling tend to become strong advocates
of the idea. So the question remains, why aren't we teaching Upcycling in schools?

To learn more about Upcycling and to get creative project ideas for school age
children, visit http://www.absolutebodo.com

To book an interview contact:
Rachel Sentes, Publicist- 604-366-7846, Rachel@gal-fridaypublicity.com