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Mary Gerken's avatar

Mary Gerken

Unity EarthCare

"Love & respect my life, others beings and Mother Earth!"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,555 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    3.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    125
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    90
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    173
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    66
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill

Mary's actions

Community

Advocate For Better Food Packaging

I will advocate for alternatives to single use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, or work.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Tour A Waste Management Facility

I will spend at least 30 minute(s) touring (virtually or in person) a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about our local waste and waste recovery streams.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Natural Paints

I will paint rooms in my home with low/no VOC or natural paints.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Sustainable Suds: Pet Edition

I will replace my pet's shampoo with an eco-friendly shampoo bar or refillable shampoo option.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Thoughtful Toys

I will only buy cloth, wooden or plant-based natural rubber toys. Or make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Invest in a Pooper-Scooper

I will swap out my single use plastic bags for a pooper-scooper.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Get Rid of Glitter

I will teach my little ones about microplastics while we do a craft project together using glitter alternatives.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Balloons Blow

Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 15 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Discover Together

I will spend 15 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Learn about Plastic Production

Plastic production, not just disposal, pollutes communities and harms people. I will learn about the impacts of plastic production on humans, animals, communities, and the environment.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Buy Only What I Need

I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Study

Estimate Your Ecological Footprint

I will calculate my ecological footprint, and from the results brainstorm and take action on ways I can reduce my annual footprint.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Complete a Waste Audit

I will conduct a waste audit - including recyclables and compost - to understand how much waste I create and where I can reduce the most.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Natural Fibers

When available, I will purchase clothing and bedding made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Sunshine Bleached

I will hang-dry my laundry to use the sun as a natural bleach alternative, or use another natural bleach alternative.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Catch Those Microfibers

I will use a microfiber catcher in my laundry, or install a microfiber filter for my washing machine.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Ditch Dryer Sheets

I will use wool dryer balls or another plastic-free alternative to dryer sheets to keep my clothes static-free.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Eco Detergent

I will use laundry detergent that is packaged in glass or aluminum, or an alternative like soap nuts.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Travel Toiletries

If traveling, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Say No to "Flushable Wipes"

Wipes don't break down in sewer systems, but combine with fat to create massive clogs. I will find alternatives to using disposable wipes.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Bathroom

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Eco Deodorant

I will switch to a plastic-free deodorant — whether purchased or DIY'd.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Brush with Bamboo

I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Sustainable Suds

I will replace my soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions with sustainable, unpackaged, or refillable options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Choose Reusable Food Storage

I will only use reusable containers instead of single-use plastic storage items (such as plastic wrap, single-use sandwich bags).

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Plant a Garden

I will plant an herb or vegetable garden using as little plastic as possible and to save from the plastic used buying herbs and veggies.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Fill a Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Go Strawless

I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Swap the Snacks

I will swap out 1 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Minimize Packaging

I will purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.

COMPLETED 28
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Skip Plastic Bags

When possible, I will not use disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags.

COMPLETED 28
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Study Complete a Waste Audit
    What did you learn about the waste you create? Where can you reduce the most?

    Mary Gerken's avatar
    Mary Gerken 7/28/2023 10:04 AM
    Plastic is a BIG problem because it's EVERYWHERE. Some things, like bread, I'm not sure how you get around BUT when aware & willing to buy individual veggies & fruit AND not put in another plastic bag, it's possible to cut way down on my waste. I am able to compost which was "big" and now ask neighbors for their food scrapes because I bought a worm farm! Bummer, it's also made out of plastic
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen Swap the Snacks
    How does swapping out prepackaged snacks for fresh fruit or veggies benefit your family?

    Mary Gerken's avatar
    Mary Gerken 7/28/2023 9:52 AM
    More healthy-full of vitamins, fibers & less salt
    , less trash, more compost for my plants,
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen Skip Plastic Bags
    How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?

    Mary Gerken's avatar
    Mary Gerken 7/27/2023 12:53 PM
    Skipping plastic bags is EASY, once you get in the habit. I forgot the first few times and decided to leave my cart in the store to walk out and get them. Now I pretty much never forget. A friend said she was nervous about germs - buy a cotton one and wash it! I have a bunch in the car & some by my front door.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen Choose Reusable Food Storage
    How can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?

    Mary Gerken's avatar
    Mary Gerken 7/15/2023 6:21 AM
    Mason jars are GREAT & jars in general. I reuse disposables at least one extra time. I store boxes and bags in my car in prep for leftovers or shopping. When I bike ride, I wear a backpack ready in case I
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bathroom Brush with Bamboo
    What are the benefits of switching to bamboo toothbrushes? How would you implore others in your community to make this switch as well?

    Mary Gerken's avatar
    Mary Gerken 7/15/2023 6:16 AM
    No plastic for each brush, soft bristles, can serve as plant marker after. Tell others about bamboo toothbrush & give as Christmas gifts this year.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Study Buy Only What I Need
    As you have reduced your spending, what have you noticed about your 'health and safety' purchasing habits? How might this change your longer term purchasing decisions?

    Mary Gerken's avatar
    Mary Gerken 7/11/2023 8:43 AM
    I need so little & my trips to the drug store have almost stopped. I've decided to monitor my spending to see what I'm spending $ on because I recently retired. WOW, an eye opener. I find that instead of buying, I borrow/share with friends if it's not something I need all the time. It's been helpful with all my purchases.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen Go Strawless
    Have you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.

    Mary Gerken's avatar
    Mary Gerken 7/11/2023 8:36 AM
    I live on the coast & there was a shift and only if you asked, did you receive a straw. Habits are sometime difficult to break because I've noticed some "come back". Education for both the restaurants and consumers must continue. I commit to say something kindly, the next time they automatically give me one.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bedroom Eco Detergent
    Was this an easy or difficult swap for you to make? Did you have any concerns before making the swap?

    Mary Gerken's avatar
    Mary Gerken 7/11/2023 7:53 AM
    Bread bags. I still don't have a solution because all bread comes in a plastic bag. I've bought fresh bread but it's not easy to slice into sandwich size pieces. HELP with ideas!

    • Mary Gerken's avatar
      Mary Gerken 7/11/2023 8:01 AM
      Sorry, I didn't see that had to do with Eco detergent. This swap was easy because there is a source here is St Pete - Sans Market. Even if I forget to bring my old container to refill my detergent, they had a bunch of free ones PLUS I can contribute my clean glass jars!

  • Mary Gerken's avatar
    Mary Gerken 7/09/2023 5:31 AM
    Plastic challenge is going well. Sadly, I notice plastic everywhere BUT I act accordingly. I buy individual fruit & veggies instead of a bag-I just won't do it anymore, even though it's a bit more expensive. My next step is to say something to a restaurant that serves their salads & bowls in plastic and I noticed ALL that plastic going into the trash can. I'm not sure what the solution is, but I'll say something.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Study Learn about Plastic Production
    What did you learn about how plastic production impacts humans, animals, communities, and the environment? Which of these impacts specifically affects your community?

    Mary Gerken's avatar
    Mary Gerken 7/05/2023 11:46 AM
    I've always preferred natural fibers, mainly cotton but hadn't realize this positive reasons. I ALWAYS check the labels! I've recently heard there are some downsides to it too, need to reasons-probably one is needs to be organic. BUT will stick with cotton or wool!