How it works:

1. Gather up some kiddos – the more the better. Many schools participate each year from elementary to middle schools, but homeschoolers, church groups, day care centers, 4H clubs, girl scouts, playgroups or neighborhoods could as well. Basically, if you have a pack of kids, you’re good to go.
2. Head to your local grocery store and ask the store manager for enough paper bags so that each child gets one.
3. Kids decorate the bags with Earth Day messages about reuse, wildlife, energy conservation, and more. I think a bag that says, “Please recycle/reuse me” is a good idea.
4. Return the bags to the store on or before Earth Day (April 22). Customers get a great surprise and a lesson in earth-friendly living from kids, when the store packs their groceries in these custom bags on Earth Day.
5. Log onto the project website and leave a report on the short report form, so that your bag count can be counted. If you’re a school, you’re entered to win a prize package.

What you get (besides a nice happy warm feeling):

“You can download a Certificate of Participation after registering your report. Your groups’ report and photos will be featured on the site, and your bags will be added to this year’s national tally. If you contact your local media, you may get some press coverage too. And don’t forget the reward of being part of an international effort to promote environmental awareness!”

Bags from 2007 Earth Day at Arbor Heights Elementary in Seattle, WA:

Discovery School in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

See more event photos.

This cost-free environmental awareness project started in 1994 and that first year more than 10,000 kids participated. How many kids do you think will participate this year? Will you be one of them?

Learn more at the Earth Day Groceries Project website.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family