Linda Kram
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,200 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO27advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO50conversationswith people
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UP TO5.0donationsmade
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UP TO398minutesspent learning
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UP TO67plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
Linda's actions
Community
Donate Zero Waste Period Products
I will donate 5 zero waste period kits to young people with periods so that they can reduce their waste and the financial burden of menstruation while continuing their education.
Community
Learn about Environmental Justice
Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 20 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.
Community
Give Some Green Gratitude
I will give a shout-out on social media to a local company, coworker, friend or family member for their plastic free or green efforts.
Community
Share My Actions
I will make my environmental actions visible by sharing about them on my social media networks and the Plastic Free Ecochallenge participant feed.
Community
Research Local Waste Sites
I will spend 30 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.
Community
Become a Recycling Pro
Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 20 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.
Family + Pets
Balloons Blow
Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 10 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.
Family + Pets
Get Rid of Glitter
I will teach my little ones about microplastics while we do a craft project together using glitter alternatives.
Family + Pets
Discover Together
I will spend 10 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.
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!
Study
Say No to Styrofoam
Throughout its life cycle, polystyrene (styrofoam) can harm people, communities, and the planet. I will refuse styrofoam whenever I can, making sure to kindly let people know why I'm asking for alternative packaging.
Study
Plastic History Buff
Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.
Study
Dig into Bioplastics
I will spend at least 10 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 5 friends, family, and/or colleagues.
Study
Numbers Everywhere
The numbers #1-7 on plastics tell us a lot - and can help us be better recyclers. I will learn what these numbers mean and which types of plastics are accepted for recycling in my area.
Study
Follow the Chasing Arrows
The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 20 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.
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.
Study
Buy Only What I Need
I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.
Bedroom
Practice Sustainable Fashion
I will spend 20 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.
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.
Bedroom
Ditch Dryer Sheets
I will use wool dryer balls or another plastic-free alternative to dryer sheets to keep my clothes static-free.
Bathroom
recycle dental tubes and products
My dentist has started using Terracycle to recycle toothpaste tubes, floss containers and plastic toothbrushes. I am saving them to drop off.
Bathroom
Brush with Bamboo
I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.
Kitchen
Swap the Snacks
I will swap out 2 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.
Kitchen
Cook a Plastic Free Meal
I will prepare meals at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.
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?
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Linda Kram 7/31/2023 7:39 PMThe eco-challenge reminded me of what I was doing, both good and bad. It challenged me to look at things going forward in a greener way. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONStudy Follow the Chasing ArrowsRecycling right requires both systemic change and personal and community awareness. How can you expand what you've learned about the chasing arrows symbol to encourage broader changes in your community?
Linda Kram 7/31/2023 7:35 PMBy making sure to point them out and suggesting people make use of them. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONStudy Numbers EverywhereWere you surprised by what the different plastic identification numbers mean? How can this information help you become a better recycler?
Linda Kram 7/31/2023 7:33 PMI found they aren't always good indicators of recyclability. Also, sometimes they are hard to see. Here, if the plastic is black, the numbers can't be seen by the machine, so they can't be recycled, no matter what number they are. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONStudy Dig into BioplasticsWhat did you learn about bioplastic production and disposal? Did anything surprise you? Are bioplastics accepted by your city's waste management?
Linda Kram 7/31/2023 7:28 PMBioplastics are not accepted in the single stream waste management here. They are not as much of a solution at this point as I thought they would be, -
REFLECTION QUESTIONStudy Plastic History BuffHow has learning about the history of single-use plastic shifted your mindset on plastics and their function within society?
Linda Kram 7/31/2023 7:26 PMPlastic is a relatively new phenomenon. You would think it would be easy to go back to the way things were before plastic, but its more complicated than that. For example, if you forget to bring a cloth bag to the grocery, they default to plastic, and you have to insist on paper or ask them to just put the groceries in the cart. They really scoff at that. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONStudy Learn about Plastic ProductionWhat did you learn about how plastic production impacts humans, animals, communities, and the environment? Which of these impacts specifically affects your community?
Linda Kram 7/31/2023 7:21 PMThe production of plastics uses fossil fuels and that impacts the planet. The waste produced when plastics are produced are also harmful and enter the food web. So, it's not just the plastic itself.-
Anna Reeve 7/31/2023 8:09 PMThis is one big topic that I have individually fought in my head about. This also isn’t something you would regularly think about unless diving into the topic - thanks for making it a main point in your comment! It reminded me to always pay attention to ALL details.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFamily + Pets Get Rid of GlitterHow can you and your little one exercise your creativity without creating more plastic waste?
Linda Kram 7/31/2023 7:18 PMMy grandchildren and I played in the natural playscape in Forest Park. They had a blast. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFamily + Pets Discover TogetherWhat concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.
Linda Kram 7/31/2023 7:17 PMIt's becoming too late to turn back. I want a world that is safe and clean for my grandchildren and the children of all the world. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFamily + Pets Thoughtful ToysDoes your child play differently with natural or repurposed toys than with other toys? If so, how?
Linda Kram 7/31/2023 7:16 PMThe toys of natural materials are often more open ended and I'm not as concerned when the toys are chewed on. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Give Some Green GratitudeIn what ways is social media an effective tool for sharing your values?
Linda Kram 7/31/2023 7:14 PMI can put my feelings on social media and they are picked up by all my friends and family at once.