Madeline Long
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 435 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO2.0plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO35pounds of paperhave been saved
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UP TO20minutesspent outdoors
Madeline's actions
Family + Pets
Embrace Imperfection
Eliminating 100% of all plastic from our lives simply isn't possible. Throughout this month, I will embrace imperfection in my plastic-free journey while exploring and testing new ways to reduce my plastic footprint.
Bedroom
Mend and Repair
We've all got it - that thing in the back of our closet we keep saying we'll fix "one day." I will make today that day by learning how to mend or repair ripped or broken items in my home - or by finding a local offering to do it for me.
Bathroom
Say No to "Flushable Wipes"
Even when advertised as "flushable" these wipes don't break down in sewer systems, but instead combine with fat to create massive clogs. This month, I will find alternatives to using disposable wipes.
Bathroom
Bidet All Day
The average American uses about 141 rolls of toilet paper each year, most of which is wrapped in plastic film. To cut down on my toilet paper usage, I will install a bidet in my bathroom.
Bedroom
Clean the Dryer Vent
Every time we tumble dry our laundry, our clothes' lifespans get a little shorter. The lint trap is evidence of the shedding fibers and our clothes slowly losing their quality. The less time our clothes need to be in the dryer, the longer they'll last. So this month, I will clean my dryer's interior and exterior air vents to help the dryer work more efficiently (and extend the life of the dryer!).
Family + Pets
Use What You Have
The only thing worse than a single-use item is a zero-use item! I will use (and use up) what I already have in my home before buying something new.
Bathroom
Travel Toiletries
Travel-size toiletries aren't just more expensive per ounce, they also have a higher plastic-to-contents ratio, and result in over 980 tonnes (2.2 million pounds) of plastic waste each year. If traveling this month, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me.
Family + Pets
Balloons Blow
Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 10 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.
Family + Pets
Get Rid of Glitter
I will teach my little ones about microplastics while we do a craft project together using glitter alternatives.
Bedroom
Multiple Wears Before Washing
The simple, necessary, daily act of washing our clothes slowly degrades the quality of our clothes due to the friction involved in the process. To extend the life of my clothes, whenever possible, I will wear items multiple times before washing.
Bathroom
Sustainable Suds
In the UK, the average person creates 512kg (1,129lbs) of waste in the bathroom over the course of their lifetime - 50% of which ends up in a landfill. As they run out, I will replace my soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions with sustainable, unpackaged, or refillable options.
Family + Pets
Thoughtful Toys
I will only buy cloth, wooden or plant-based natural rubber toys. Or make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!
Community
Go For a Walk
Science has shown that focused time in nature calms our over-worked frontal lobe and gives space for the areas of our brain associated with emotions, pleasure, and empathy to take over, providing a sense of calm that is measurable in brain scans and even blood tests. Each day this month, I will spend 20 minutes outside in nature, and share my observations, reflections, and learnings on the Participant Feed.
Bedroom
Proper Clothing Care
All those symbols on our clothes, sheets, and towels actually have meanings! To ensure that I'm caring for my clothes properly, I will spend 10 minutes learning what the care symbols mean and laundry best practices to make all of my textiles last as long as possible.
Bedroom
Ditch Dryer Sheets
Plastic sheets coated in softeners, lubricants, and fragrances, dryer sheets just aren't great for the planet or our bodies. Instead, I will use wool dryer balls or another plastic-free alternative to dryer sheets to keep my clothes static-free.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFamily + Pets Balloons BlowHad you ever considered the environmental impact of balloons before? How can you share this information with your friends and family to encourage them to avoid balloons, too?
Madeline Long 7/30/2024 8:04 AMI often forget how harmful balloons can be! I think a great option for future events with friends and family would be to offer to make reusable garland or streamers! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFamily + Pets Get Rid of GlitterHow can you and your little one exercise your creativity without creating more plastic waste?
Madeline Long 7/30/2024 8:03 AMFor a lot of my daughter's arts and crafts, we give her sprinkles to glue to paper rather than glitter. It is less messy and also biodegradable! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBedroom Clean the Dryer VentWhen was the last time you cleaned your dryer's air vents? Was it easier or more difficult than you anticipated?
Madeline Long 7/30/2024 8:02 AMThey are cleaned every few months! It gets messy, but it also helps prevent house fires! -
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?
Madeline Long 7/30/2024 8:01 AMI think one of the other most harmful single-use products I see used is plastic stick Q-tips! Not only is plastic an issue, but Q-tips are not generally recommended by ents!-
Brittany Murphy 7/30/2024 8:15 AMAlso scrubs and body washes that contain microbeads for exfoliation, they don't always dissolve and they are actually microplastics!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFamily + Pets Thoughtful ToysDoes your child play differently with natural or repurposed toys than with other toys? If so, how?
Madeline Long 7/30/2024 7:59 AMWe are very mindful about the toys we purchase! We often find toys at thrift stores, and ensure that they are toys that can be resold or gifted to friends after our use! Not all her toys are wooden or natural, but sturdy and able to withstand generational play! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBathroom Travel ToiletriesWhat is the benefit of using bar soaps or refilling your travel sized containers? Is this an action you think you will keep in your life?
Madeline Long 7/30/2024 7:58 AMMy husband is often on and off of a ship, where he has to have access to smaller-size toiletries. Having reusable bottles has saved us money on many occasions! We fully intend to continue this practice -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBathroom Bidet All DayThere are many benefits to using a bidet, including health, environmental, and economic benefits. Which of these benefits was most influential for you in making the switch to a bidet, and what has your experience been like since?
Madeline Long 7/30/2024 7:56 AMWe were gifted a bidet a few weeks ago and love it! We are now trying to get my daughter comfortable with using it. I have also found it convenient not dealing with clogged toilets, or spending loads of money on toilet paper! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBathroom Sustainable SudsWhat are the economic and personal benefits of switching to bar soap/shampoo/conditioner or refillable bottle options?
Madeline Long 7/30/2024 7:55 AMI have recently made these switches as my daughter bathes every day. We have been going through shampoo and conditioner like hotcakes! I've found that we have started saving money by investing in refillable options, and in instances where we do have a bottle or two, my daughter will use them as bath toys for "bath potions". -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBathroom Say No to "Flushable Wipes"Even though they are marketed as "flushable," disposable wipes do not disintegrate in water or the sewer system, and actually release microplastics into our waterways. How does it feel to learn this information? What do you want to do about it?
Madeline Long 7/30/2024 7:53 AMI learned from a plumber many years ago that flushable wipes are not actually flushable. I am not really sure how this type of marketing is allowed, but I'd be interested to know if there are any class-action lawsuits against companies that advertise their compatibility with plumbing systems. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFamily + Pets Use What You HaveBesides the economic benefits of using the things we already own, how can this practice impact our lives in other ways and influence the way we interact with "things"?
Madeline Long 7/30/2024 7:51 AMThere are certainly times when I see something trendy and find myself "lacking". Then I remind myself that "trendy" means temporary and I strive to be as resourceful as possible.