“Don’t throw that away, I can use it” is absolutely a familiar sentiment. The recent ALSC post Trash to Treasure highlighted some great ideas about how to repurpose common items into creative crafts. Recycling materials keeps them out of landfills (hooray!), and models sustainable practices. What a valuable alternate to the ever present googly eyes, glitter, and disposable giveaways all too common in youth services. This all got me thinking about a great pop up display or activity, just in time for March 18.
What’s so special about March 18? It’s world recycling day! Honoring world recycling day is a great way to build out a month of spring programs, displays, and more leading up to Earth Day.
From nonfiction to picture books, there are oodles of terrific children’s books about recycling. Two personal favorites are the delightful Milk and Juice: a Recycling Romance by Meredith Crandall Brown and the classic by Miranda Paul, One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia. For more environmental themed stories, be sure to check out the Blueberry Award winners. Since 2021, each spring the Blueberry Awards recognize excellence in children’s books that promote climate stewardship. These are must have titles for a variety of nature themed, sustainable storytimes and activities.
Picture books, displays, and programs are fun, but there’s a serious side too. Research on climate anxiety makes it clear that current ecological conditions are taking an emotional toll on young people. Simple engagement strategies that focus on practical steps (like recycling) are empowering. Label and name what your library does for the environment. Make connections so youth can contribute. Libraries are powerful spaces where creativity, information, and action converge, and every choice provides an opportunity to help children move from climate anxiety to climate action.
This ALSC blog post addresses the following core competencies: I. Commitment to Client Group, III. Programming Skills.