A few weeks ago, I took a trip to Tahoe to see one of my favorite bands, KISS. They were playing an outdoor gig at Harvey’s Casino.  After the 3 hour trip from home, we finally decided to eat. I had been moaning in the back seat of the car for about 2 of those 3 hours so, at this point, my parents thought it a welcome relief to see the Hard Rock Cafe sign looming ahead in the distance.  Being 11, I have the appetite of a full grown man, but I also like to pass the time noodling around with the kids activity booklet and assortment of crayons given half a chance!

What surprised me this time was the booklet I got. Firstly, it was printed on 30% post consumer recycled paper and, while not 100%, this was a great start (the ink too was recyclable).  The main theme of the booklet was “Rock, Reuse, Recycle” and the contents were geared towards conservation and environmentally related issues.  Engaging kids in a fun way but also teaching them about green issues at the same time. For example did you know that rain forests act as the world’s thermostat by regulating temperatures and weather patterns? OK, how about this… that  aluminum cans can be recycled over and over again? There’s no limit, we just need to make them available for recycling, that’s all. How hard is that?

Along with some fast facts, it also it had a few Top Tips such as bringing your own cloth bags to the grocery store or bring back the plastic or paper bags you got last time. Another  was making cards out of old newspapers or magazines to send to your friends instead of chopping down yet another tree by buying a new one. All of these are great suggestions, and ones that can really make a difference.

Personally, I was more than a little shocked to read that, every Sunday, 500,000 trees could be saved if everyone recycled their newspapers! This is overwhelming, but completely within our power to change if we want to.

The low down is that the Hard Rock have partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation (whose mission it is to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees) in trying to get people to save the planet one tree at a time. Each kid booklet also comes with a packet of 3 little tree seeds to try and encourage lil’ rockers to plant trees and help produce more oxygen and preserve wildlife habitats. If you click here, then you’ve helped to plant a tree already! Each kid meal itself also uses recyclable “Save the Planet” cups and lids.

Additionally, Hard Rock International kicked-off the introduction of it’s new kid’s menu by planting 25,000 trees, and with the help of the new Lil’ Rockers menu, Hard Rock and the Arbor Day Foundation hope to help plant one million trees in 2008. That’s awesome!

Liam - rocking, reusing and recycling!

The KISS concert was nothing less than expected. Pure brilliance! The funny thing is that, every time I glance at my 3 tree seedlings sprouting in the kitchen, I swear I can hear Strutter in my mind!