Autumn Aaron
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 570 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO8.0disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO48gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO585minutesspent outdoors
Autumn's actions
Kitchen
Use What You Have
The only thing worse than a single-use item is a zero-use item! I will use (and use up) what I already have in my home before buying something new.
Kitchen
Embrace Imperfection
Eliminating 100% of all plastic from our lives simply isn't possible. Throughout this month, I will embrace imperfection in my plastic-free journey while exploring and testing new ways to reduce my plastic footprint.
Bedroom
Eco Detergent
Ditch the plastic jugs, artificial dyes, and harmful ingredients! When it's time to replace my current laundry detergent, I will switch to a natural laundry detergent that is packaged in glass or aluminum, or an alternative like soap nuts.
Bathroom
A Greener Shower
Most conventional shower curtain liners are made from polyvinyl chloride (or PVC), which contains chlorine, phthalates, and plasticizers, and typically need replaced often. When it's time to replace my shower curtain liner, I will replace it with a plastic-free option and research the best ways to care for it.
Kitchen
Clean Plate Club
When I need to replace my dish soap, I will switch to a bar or refillable option.
Kitchen
Use a Reusable Mug
Even just one to-go coffee or tea a week adds up to 52 trashed cups in a year! I will avoid sending 1 disposable cups to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or travel cup.
Bathroom
See the Green
An estimated 50,000lbs (23,000kg) of contact lenses end up in sewage sludge in the US each year. This month, I will learn how to recycle used contact lenses and packaging or switch to wearing glasses instead.
Bathroom
That Was a Close Shave
Who says we need 5 blades and a ribbon of shaving cream on every $5 razor blade cartridge, when a single blade causes less irritation and costs 92% less? This month, I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.
Bathroom
A Sustainable Flow
Pads and tampons are typically made with plastics, and about 41 million pounds of menstrual products end up in landfills every year. This month, I will make the switch to sustainable, reusable period products.
Community
Go For a Walk
Science has shown that focused time in nature calms our over-worked frontal lobe and gives space for the areas of our brain associated with emotions, pleasure, and empathy to take over, providing a sense of calm that is measurable in brain scans and even blood tests. Each day this month, I will spend 45 minutes outside in nature, and share my observations, reflections, and learnings on the Participant Feed.
Bathroom
Scrub a Dub
Replace my plastic loofas with natural sponge loofas that are biodegradable. I chose this because I realized how wasteful plastic loofas are since they need to be replaced so often. This way, as the natural loofa breaks down or needs to be replaced, it is at least made of biodegradable materials that won’t sit in a landfill for decades.
Study
Borrowed Books
The average paperback book has the same carbon footprint of driving about 7 miles (11 km) in an average car. Instead of purchasing new books this month, I will borrow books, e-books, and/or audiobooks from my local library or library-affiliated apps, or host a book swap with my friends.
Kitchen
Take the pre-survey!
Help us make the Plastic Free Ecochallenge the best it can be! Take the challenge pre-survey (and look out for the post-survey at the end of the challenge!) so we can better understand the impact the challenge has and how we can improve in the future. Plus, you'll earn points for completing it! Thank you!
Bedroom
Multiple Wears Before Washing
The simple, necessary, daily act of washing our clothes slowly degrades the quality of our clothes due to the friction involved in the process. To extend the life of my clothes, whenever possible, I will wear items multiple times before washing.
Kitchen
Use The Dishwasher
Using your dishwasher doesn't just save water! I will use my dishwasher whenever possible to extend the life of my sponges and dish cloths, and shed less microfibers from them.
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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REFLECTION QUESTIONBathroom A Sustainable FlowDisposable tampons and menstrual pads are often quite expensive. What are the economic and personal benefits of this switch for you?
Autumn Aaron 7/21/2024 11:15 AMAs with most things that create less waste, the menstrual cups require a bit of TLC day to day and monthly. But I think it’s more rewarding to invest in products that will last (and don’t contain toxic metals). Disposable menstrual products are also just bad for our sewage systems, so it’s nice to know the things I am using for my body each month are staying out of sewage systems and landfills. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBathroom That Was a Close ShaveWhat have you noticed about the economic and social impact of switching to steel razors? Was there ever really a need for disposable razors, or do you think it was just a way to sell more things?
Autumn Aaron 7/21/2024 11:12 AMI think disposable razors were created out of convenience. From what I can gather, changing the blade in a steel razor requires a little more work than just pressing a button and clipping a new head onto the razor. But I’m excited to start using my new steel razor! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Go For a WalkWhat have you noticed about your mental and/or physical health while going on daily walks? How has it affected other areas of your life?
Autumn Aaron 7/18/2024 2:35 PMAdopting my dog 4 years ago has been instrumental in helping me get outside. We take at least two 20 minute walks each day. Walking her has helped me focus on being outside, listening to the birds, and even finding turtles on occasion. I always feel more grounded after being outside with her. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBedroom Multiple Wears Before WashingIn addition to helping clothes last longer, washing clothes less frequently also saves water by running the washing machine less often. As the climate and water situations change, what are some other ways both your household and our community could become more resilient?
Autumn Aaron 7/18/2024 2:17 PMPlanting trees and plants that will shade homes to reduce energy required to cool them in the summer -
Autumn Aaron 7/18/2024 2:10 PMTalenti containers are some of my favorites to reuse! ♻️-
Rose Bemo 7/18/2024 2:52 PMMy favorites to empty too! lol
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REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Use What You HaveBesides the economic benefits of using the things we already own, how can this practice impact our lives in other ways and influence the way we interact with "things"?
Autumn Aaron 7/16/2024 11:15 AMIt helps with reducing the likelihood the item will be tossed out or become part of a de-cluttering by using/purchasing only what we truly need. It also helps encourage innovation and resourcefulness by trying to find multiple ways to use the same object. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Embrace ImperfectionHow has embracing imperfection impacted your plastic-free journey?
Autumn Aaron 7/16/2024 11:12 AMRecently returned from Puerto Rico where one-use plastic bottles are very common. I took my reusable Life Straw bottle, but it wasn't working, so I had to use the plastic bottles. It wasn't ideal, but it's the first time I used plastic water bottles in years.