meg kalmbach

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

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 5 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

I will make my own cleaning products at home.

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

When available, I will purchase clothing made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.

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

If traveling, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me in a TSA-approved reusable quart-sized bag.

I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.

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

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

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 pick up 1 piece(s) of litter each day.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 3 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

I will make my environmental actions visible by posting to my social media networks.

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

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

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 purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.

I will prepare meals at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.