Shelby Brookbank

When it's time to buy more, I will replace my beauty products with refillable, sustainable, and/or DIY options.

I will use a rubber glove to remove pet hair from clothes, carpets and furniture.

I will recycle used contact lenses and packaging.

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

I will lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.

I will talk to the owner or manager of a restaurant I frequent to request that they reduce their use of single-use and disposable plastics.

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.

I will spend 5 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 10 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 5 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

I will make my own cleaning products or choose plastic-free, refillable options.

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

I will make the switch to sustainable, reusable period products.

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

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

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

I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.

I will keep 2 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

I will replace 10 plastic bottles with glass or stainless steel alternatives.

When I need to replace my dish soap, I will switch to a bar or refillable option.

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.

If traveling, I will bring my own snacks and meals in my own containers to avoid the waste of take-out containers.

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