Katherine Heffernan

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 spend 5 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

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

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.

I will spend 10 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

I will give my pets natural alternatives to toys like femur bones and antlers, canvas, natural rubber, hemp, rope or cotton toys. Or make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!

I will watch a documentary film about waste with family and friends and talk about what we learned.

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 reusable dishes and silverware when eating at work.

I will purchase produce items without plastic packaging, making sure to wash them well before using them.

If at all possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases, including produce bags.

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

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

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

I will keep 5 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

I will keep 5 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

I will visit the rePurpose website, complete the 3-minute plastic consumption calculator, and explore how I can reBalance my annual plastic footprint.

I will pick up 5 piece(s) of litter each day.