Elizabeth Loehe

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.

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.

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

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 20 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

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

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

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

I will spend 20 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

The numbers #1-7 on plastics tell us a lot - and can help us be better recyclers. I will learn what these numbers mean and which types of plastics are accepted for recycling in my area.

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 7 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

I will raise money to support a nonprofit dedicated to plastic pollution reduction.

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 host or participate in a beach, highway, river, or other cleanup effort in my community.

I will host a watch party with friends and/or colleagues to watch and discuss a movie about plastics.

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

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

I will keep 9 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

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

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.

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

I will use laundry detergent that is packaged in glass or aluminum, or an alternative like soap nuts.

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

I will pick up 10 piece(s) of litter each day.

I will try new recipe(s) or food preparation method(s) each day, such as canning, pickling, making yogurt, or baking granola bars or bread.

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

The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 20 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

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 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.