Patchwork Designs, Inc >Go GREEN PATCH PROGRAM

GO GREEN PATCH PROGRAM

complete 1 requirement to earn this patch

You can complete more than one requirement if you would like.

You can "Go Green" everyday not just on Earth Day! You can learn how to "go green" and help the environment around you. Everything we do can help the world a better place. Complete one requirement to earn your "Go Green" patch.

1. Reduce the amount of trash that you throw in the landfill. Complete one of the following: Take a reusable bag with you when you go shopping, use a lunchbox for your lunch instead of a paper bag every day, use plastic containers to store your lunch to cut down on plastic and throw away containers, use a reusable water bottle instead of plastic pre-purchased water bottles, eat leftovers, OR eat on real plates instead of paper plates at home.

2. Find things in your home that you can reuse or repurpose into something new. Examples: Reuse a jar to create a bank for your spare change, reuse clothing you outgrown and fashion it into a bag, reuse plastic butter containers to hold leftovers or craft supplies, create crafts, household items, desk items into something useful. Check out our crafts for ideas.

3. When you recycle something it gets turned into something new. Learn more about recycling and start a recycle chart. Follow the chart for a week and see how many things you recycled OR if you already recycle make a list of items you recycle in your home and share it with others.

4. Don't forget to recycle your electronic equipment and cell phones. In some cases when you get a new computer they can be turned into local thrift stores, organizations, or churches that in turn fix them or give them to people that don't have computers. Cell phones are collected at many places and they issue them to people that need them. Examples include: disaster victims, soldiers overseas, Red Cross, missionaries, and families with low incomes. Participate in a program that recycles electronic equipment or cell phones OR donate a cell phone or computer to a drop off place or organization. http://eartheasy.com/live_recycling.htm#f http://cellphonesforsoldiers.com/

5. Conserve water and help the planet. Do one thing to conserve water in your home. Examples include: turning the water off when you are brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, running the dishwasher when it is full, OR collect rainwater and use it to water your flowers.

6. Trees create oxygen, offer shade, relaxation, and create beautiful landscapes. Participate in a project that helps trees grow. Examples include: participating in Arbor Day events, adopt a tree, plant trees, recycle paper, print on both sides of paper, make your own paper, learn how to care for trees OR teach others the importance of trees.

7. We use electricity for many things. Learn how you can save energy at home and complete one task that helps conserve electricity. Examples include: turning off the lights when you are not in the room, unplugging things that you are not using [chargers, blow dryers, toasters], participate in earth hour, turning the TV off when you are not watching it, power down computers at the end of the day, use power strip and flip switch when gadgets are not in use, purchase more efficient light bulbs, use natural light when possible instead of electricity, make a draft stopper to place at bottom doors, OR keep the doors and windows closed when you are running the heat and air.

8. Earth Day is on April 22nd. Complete an activity about Earth Day or attend an Earth Day event. Examples include: Create posters for Earth Day, decorate grocery bags for local grocers, have an Earth day party and create crafts from recycled materials OR serve earth themed foods.

9. Be a designer and create a "new" package design for a product on the market. When you design the package decide which part of the package is not needed, create it out of recycled material, OR create the product so most of the package can be recycled. Make sure you place colorful designs and wording on the product how you improved the packaging. Such as: This box can be recycled, this box is smaller but has the same amount of food inside, OR this package is created from recycled materials. Share your design with others. For fun, create a new name for the "new" designed product or work in teams to create the design idea.

10. What will my water bottle turn into if I recycle it? There are recycle numbers beside the recycle symbol on your bottle. Take one item and learn what the items can be recycled into according to the number on the item, OR complete our recycle booklet on the symbols, OR visit a recycling center and find out more about sorting and recycling items. For example, if you look at a bottle and it has the number 1 in the center of the recycle symbol, usually found on the bottom of the bottle, then it could be used to create paintbrushes, bottles, containers, etc.

11. Did you know that some of the food we eat comes from trees? Learn more about the foods that we eat that come from trees. Have a taste testing of foods from trees OR create cards with descriptions of the food and on the back write the name of the tree OR make a list of trees that provide us food.

12. Play a game, complete a word search, or read a book that is about the environment or has a "green" theme.

13. Talk about littering and how trash left outside could harm animals and create a messy environment. Take action and complete one task to create a better outdoor environment. Examples include: help clean up a beach, roadway, or area around your neighborhood. You could also plant flowers at your school or assisted living home, rake leaves, water gardens, weed or mulch yards.

14. De-clutter your home and have fun going through the things that you no longer need. Choose one or more things to recycle items that you have played with or worn. Examples include: donating your gently worn clothing to the less fortunate, recycle your crayons, donate or exchange your books at the local used book store, clean toys and organize games you don't need and donate them to Ronald McDonald Houses or shelters. Remember when you are donating items they should be in great condition so the next person can enjoy them as much as you did. http://www.crazycrayons.com/recycle_program.html