Eco-Friendly Stuff for Teens

Environmental issues are important to all of us. While there are many teen-agers that choose to ignore the important issues around them, there are many more that are actively involved in changing our world for the better. Many of these kids are involved in recycling projects, involved in their community, and working hard to impact society in a positive way.

Finding just the right gift for these teens is not as hard as you might think. The Internet is full of gifts that are not only cool, but environmentally friendly as well. Encourage your teen in their interests with some of the following ideas.

1. Give her a gift that gives back with these fantastic earrings. They start out with real leaves, dry them, and carefully dip them in sterling silver. After that they are dipped in gold. The result is one of a kind jewelry that is beautiful. The company doesn't stop there, though. For each set sold a tree is planted by the company somewhere in the world.
2. The Um Bag is a tote, or handbag that is made from two layers of wool felt. When it is zipped up it is a three dimensional organic wool art form.

3. How about a recycled cuff bracelet, made from record albums for the music lover? These bracelets are made from albums that would otherwise be in a landfill.
4. How could a skater girl resist these earrings made from recycled skateboards? Unique and beautiful. They are made to show off the deck artwork of the individual skateboards.
5. Cashmere scarves made from recycled vintage sweaters are warm AND cool at the same time.

6. This felted wool tote is big enough for a laptop or books. It is made from vintage wool sweaters so each one is unique.

7. Twice Shy is an organic clothing company that is worth checking out. The clothes are well made, stylish, and reasonable.

1. Hemp Chuck Taylors from Converse. Finally! After 60 years this shoe goes green.

A recent study states that 80% of teens feel that environmental issues are important.

We raise eco-aware kids by being eco-aware ourselves. As we live our lives in way that speak our social ethics and responsibility to our kids, they take the issues seriously as well. Our kids are exposed to our commercial, throw-away society daily, and they will pick up our ethics, not by what we say, but by what we do.

Encouraging an interest in current events, and the challenges that face society today is important. The teenagers of today are the adults of tomorrow. They will be making the decisions that change the future. Many of those decisions will effect the environment.

Teenagers are capable of being socially responsible, maybe more so than adults, because of their natural desire to impact their environment. Guide them in such a way that the impact is a positive one.