Sandra McAllister
"Save the planet, save yourselves!"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,381 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO20advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO1.0community eventhosted or attended
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UP TO24conversationswith people
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO1.0donationmade
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UP TO125minutesspent learning
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UP TO104pieces of litterpicked up
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UP TO154pieces of plastic cutlerynot sent to the landfill
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UP TO43plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO92plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO52plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
Sandra's actions
Community
Learn about Environmental Justice
Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 40 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.
Community
Advocate for Plastic-Free Dining
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.
Community
Donate Zero Waste Period Products
I will donate 1 zero waste period kits to young people with periods so that they can reduce their waste and the financial burden of menstruation while continuing their education.
Community
Tour A Waste Management Facility
I will spend at least 20 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.
Study
Plastic History Buff
Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.
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.
Bedroom
Ditch Dryer Sheets
I will use wool dryer balls or another plastic-free alternative to dryer sheets to keep my clothes static-free.
Family + Pets
Balloons Blow
Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 20 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.
Study
Say No to Styrofoam
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.
Study
Follow the Chasing Arrows
The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 15 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.
Bathroom
Travel Toiletries
If traveling, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me.
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
Keep My Community Clean
I will pick up 3 piece(s) of litter each day.
Kitchen
Cook a Plastic Free Meal
I will prepare meals at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.
Kitchen
Fill a Water Bottle
I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.
Kitchen
Use Reusable Utensils
I will keep 3 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.
Kitchen
Go Strawless
I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.
Kitchen
Travel Eating
If traveling, I will bring my own snacks and meals in my own containers to avoid the waste of take-out containers.
Kitchen
Plastic Free Lunch Boxes
I will only pack reusable cutlery, drinkware and containers in my family's lunches to reduce plastic waste.
Kitchen
Skip Plastic Bags
When possible, I will not use disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags.
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 QUESTIONCommunity Learn about Environmental JusticeWhat did you and your family learn about environmental justice? What questions came up for you? What feelings?
Sandra McAllister 7/29/2023 4:41 AMEveryone needs their voices heard when it comes to environmental protection and decision making. -
Sandra McAllister 7/29/2023 4:05 AMOnly two days left. Keep completing your actions. Go back if you forgot to complete actions and add them. Let’s not let the other teams catch us by surprise. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Go StrawlessHave you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.
Sandra McAllister 7/29/2023 3:58 AMI have definitely noticed the change. Some of the newer business are using more sustainable items. Some local older places still haven’t change from plastic and styrofoam usage but I’m definitely working to have them consider alternatives. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Tour A Waste Management FacilityLandfills and recycling centers tell us a lot about our communities and purchasing habits. What did you glean from your tour?
Sandra McAllister 7/29/2023 3:50 AMWe waste so much food. more people need to think of ways to reduce the amount of food waste. More people need to start composting. -
Sandra McAllister 7/29/2023 3:44 AMI look forward every year to this challenge. There are some improvements towards plastic reduction by companies but it’s not enough. It is up to us, the consumer, to make them change. -
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?
Sandra McAllister 7/18/2023 8:18 PMThis helps me know my guests by sharing experiences, learning from the documentary and talking about what we can do better moving forward, like composting. -
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?
Sandra McAllister 7/11/2023 7:21 PMWorking at the zoo, I’m aware of the impact but doing this challenge is good reminder. I will share the different articles and video with my family and friends. -
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?
Sandra McAllister 7/11/2023 7:02 PMI’d definitely continue to keep refilling my travel size containers. I’ll also travel with my reusable ware. -
Sandra McAllister 7/11/2023 6:57 PMMy garden is starting to produce great veggies again. Time to start cooking my plastic free meals. -
Sandra McAllister 7/11/2023 6:55 PMThe Maryland Zoo is still in first place. Keep it up team!