Teach 'take home,' not 'throw away'

As a mother and a resident of planet earth, my goal has been to provide a safe resource and convenient source of earth friendly, safe and healthy products for families.

I developed "I County for myEARTH," an environmental awareness campaign which launched at North Barrington School in January.

The campaign addressed the fact that if everyone consumed as much as we do in the US, we would need five earths to sustain us.

Bottled water consumption-and its negative impact-was the primary focus.

The catalyst for this campaign? Witnessing the seemingly limitless consumption of disposable water bottles at school, in transit to and from sports activities. Many times, hardly consumed bottles ending up in the trash.

While it is my mission to reduce bottled water consumption, I felt it was my duty to direct my energy to this recycle bin issue.

In April, I wrote letters to the editors regarding the lack of recycle bins at many of our playing fields in Barrington, including Langendorf Park, Field of Dreams and the school playing fields.

A few of us concerned moms carry our own bags so that we may recycle at least a fraction of the plastic bottles that otherwise end up in the trash bins.

What are we teaching our children? Why are there no recycle bins at our park? Is this going in communities around us?

I find it hard to believe that those responsible do not realize the damaging effects of plastic water bottles to the earth - not to mention those who innocently use them everyday.

As a community, we must demand recycle bins at our parks and encourage parents to consider alternatives to disposable water bottles.

At least one of the fields in Chicago has banned disposable water bottles altogether!

My hope is that, eventually, families will become accustomed to sending reusable bottles.

Coaches and other parents can remind the children to grab their bottles - names written with Sharpies - before they go.

They have to pick up the disposable water bottle litter anyway; children should be able to take the leap from grabbing and throwing away to grabbing and taking home.

It may take extra thought and effort, but responsibility - for the earth, for themselves and their belongings - is something we should encourage and enforce at this impressionable age.

Lynn Hasselberger

Founder and President

icountformyEARTH.com

North Barrington