Katie Greer
"My mission is to have fun while I work to reduce my use of single-use plastics."
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,100 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO1.0community eventhosted or attended
-
UP TO36conversationswith people
-
UP TO1.0documentarywatched
-
UP TO400minutesspent learning
-
UP TO20pieces of litterpicked up
-
UP TO3.0plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
Katie's actions
Study
Plastic History Buff
Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 60 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.
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.
Community
Learn about Environmental Justice
Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 30 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.
Study
Buy Only What I Need
I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.
Community
Host a Watch Party
I will host a watch party with friends and/or colleagues to watch and discuss a movie about plastics.
Community
Tour A Waste Management Facility
I will spend at least 60 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.
Community
Keep My Community Clean
I will pick up 1 piece(s) of litter each day.
Bedroom
Catch Those Microfibers
I will use a microfiber catcher in my laundry, or install a microfiber filter for my washing machine.
Bedroom
Ditch Dryer Sheets
I will use wool dryer balls or another plastic-free alternative to dryer sheets to keep my clothes static-free.
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.
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.
Kitchen
Swap the Snacks
I will swap out 1 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.
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 QUESTIONStudy Plastic History BuffHow has learning about the history of single-use plastic shifted your mindset on plastics and their function within society?
Katie Greer 7/31/2023 8:45 AMI find it very ironic that that plastics, a material meant to last, has become our main single-use product go-to material. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Give Some Green GratitudeIn what ways is social media an effective tool for sharing your values?
Katie Greer 7/31/2023 6:39 AMSocial media is one way that we can display sustainable actions. The more people see that other people are reducing their plastic waste, the more is becomes the social norm. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Learn about Environmental JusticeWhat did you and your family learn about environmental justice? What questions came up for you? What feelings?
Katie Greer 7/31/2023 6:26 AMNew Jersey's EJMAP is a great tool for finding overburdened communities. You can overlap the map with waste facilities and gain insight on where community stressors are concentrated. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBedroom Catch Those MicrofibersWhich microfiber solution did you choose? How has it changed your laundry routine?
Katie Greer 7/31/2023 6:21 AMI am still deciding on a microfiber solution for my washing machine. I looked into the in-machine catchers but I'm a little skeptical of their effectiveness. It seems that an attached filter might be the best choice but there is a larger expense and installation might be difficult. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBedroom Ditch Dryer SheetsOften, single-use and disposable products don't just create more trash - they also contain toxins that are bad for humans. What are some other single-use items that are harmful to humans?
Katie Greer 7/28/2023 1:19 PMSingle use plastics can leach chemicals into your food and drink. Thermal paper receipts contain BPA. -
Katie Greer 7/28/2023 6:47 AMWe are in our final few days of the EcoChallenge! It has flown by! I think the litter pickup daily action has become a habit for me - I can't just leave it there! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONStudy Buy Only What I NeedAs 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?
Katie Greer 7/28/2023 6:46 AMWhen it comes to health and safety items, I tend to overbuy to be extra prepared. I would probably benefit more by being more organized so I can find the things I need when I need them. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Keep My Community CleanHow does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?
Katie Greer 7/28/2023 6:44 AMI've noticed there is litter everywhere. It also instills in me that I hold responsibility for picking up litter when I see it - not just the person who dropped it there. We all collectively are responsible. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Swap the SnacksHow does swapping out prepackaged snacks for fresh fruit or veggies benefit your family?
Katie Greer 7/28/2023 6:43 AMSending my kids with fresh fruit and snacks to school/camp is healthier but also helps me use the fresh food I have in my refrigerator before they go bad! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Host a Watch PartyHow does hosting a watch party help you to get to know your guests, connect them to the cause you are focusing on, and build your community?
Katie Greer 7/28/2023 6:40 AMI hosted a virtual recycling facility tour over lunch yesterday. I think it was a lot more fun to watch the videos as a group then to just send out the links to the videos.