Julie McGrath

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

I will replace single use diapers with reusable cloth diapers.

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

I will spend 30 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

I will make better choices for the environment and my baby's bum by using reusable baby wipes most or all of the time.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 15 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

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

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 lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.

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

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

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 spend at least 15 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.

I will spend 15 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 15 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.

I will teach my little ones about microplastics while we do a craft project together using glitter alternatives.

I will swap out 2 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 3 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

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.

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.

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 not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

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

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

I will only pack reusable cutlery, drinkware and containers in my family's lunches to reduce plastic waste.

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

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 purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.

When possible, I will not use disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags.

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