Terry Morgan

Chicago Office

Points Total

0 Today
0 This Week
697 Total

Participant Impact

up to

14

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Terry's Actions

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 2 piece(s) of litter each day while following the CDC’s current guidelines for prevention of disease transfer.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Skip the Straw

I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors. Why not try using hair conditioner instead of shaving foam for that baby smooth feel?

Completed
One-Time Action

Food

Use Reusable Containers

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

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Lifestyle

Naked Bins

To the extent allowable in my community, I will either line my trash cans with repurposed newspaper or paper bags, or I will not line my trash cans at all.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Feed

Reflection Question
Community Keep My Community Clean

How does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?

Terry Morgan 7/28/2020 2:23 PM

Keeping your yard or neighborhood free of litter is not only making the area more presentable but it is also a source of pride and ownership in your community. If you don't take care of your yard/neighboring areas, you cannot expect someone else to do it. I have a lovely neighborhood with older trees and with everyone being home, yards have more plantings and are well maintained. Seeing trash or plastic bottles and cans along the walkway or yard, takes away from the beauty of the area.

Read More
- Sophia Paul 7/30/2020 1:30 PM
  
  I love your comment about picking up litter as a way of having pride and taking ownership! I've definitely been seeing more masks and gloves around my neighborhood - while I'm glad people are wearing masks, make sure you dispose of them properly (or even better go reusable if you can)
  
  Read More
Reflection Question
Food Skip the Straw

Have you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.

Terry Morgan 7/23/2020 2:03 PM

Many restaurants are no longer offering straws automatically, you have to request them. Sometimes they are already on the table (wrapped in plastic!). I do not use them or I will refuse a straw if offered. Now and then I get a Frappacino and forget to bring my own straw. I need to be better about bringing my reusable ones with me for that reason.

Read More
Reflection Question
Personal Care That Was a Close Shave

What have you noticed about the economic and social impact of switching to steel razors? Was there ever really a need for disposable razors, or do you think it was just a way to sell more things?

Terry Morgan 7/09/2020 1:20 PM

Have to admit I had not given much thought to disposable razors and assumed (like everyone else) that they would be recycled. Apparently, they are not! I have taken steps to shave less (laser hair removal for my legs was done a long time ago thereby only needing touch ups). I still buy disposable razors but not as often as the average woman since I only need to touch up now and then. I am also using hair conditioner in place of shaving cream so that eliminates an additional expense and container going to a landfill.

Read More
Reflection Question
Lifestyle Naked Bins

Does changing the lining of your waste bin change the kind or amount of trash you produce?

Terry Morgan 7/06/2020 6:14 AM

Instead of buying new plastic liners for my trash bins, I will often use plastic bags from Target or a grocery store. It might mean changing the liners more often and discarding smaller items, but it's a way to repurpose the plastic bags when I shop. Because of COVID, many stores will not allow customers to bring their own re-usable bags to the grocery store so if I am given plastic, I find a 2nd use for those bags.

Read More
Reflection Question
Food Use Reusable Containers

How can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?

Terry Morgan 7/01/2020 7:42 AM

Before finally tossing something like a bag, box or plastic container, try to repurpose it so that it is used more than once. You can even re-use rubber bands from celery purchased at a grocery store or that come with a floral arrangement, for instance. When I have stray ribbons from packages/gifts, I use them to tie my garden plants to stakes.

Read More
Terry Morgan 7/01/2020 7:38 AM

Check out the collective results from last year's ecochallenge. This is all teams who participated, not just for Deloitte, btw.

Read More
Terry Morgan 6/29/2020 11:25 AM

Over the weekend I read an article whereI learned that the age of plastics began in the 1860's when John Wesley Hyatt invented the first breakthrough synthetic polymer as a substitute for ivory. In 1907 a Belgian chemist, Leo Hendrik Baekeland created the first fully synthetic, commercially successful plastic to replace shellac (a moldable resin made from insects with waxy shells). So up until the 1860's the world has been able to get along quite well without it. Food for thought, don't you think?

Read More
Terry Morgan 6/26/2020 9:44 AM

I went out to dinner with a friend the other night and took half of my dinner home for another meal. The container that I was given was aluminum so after I had the leftovers last night, I washed out the container and will re-use it again when I prepare asparagus on the grill this weekend. If the container survives the grill, I may wash and re-use in the same way or use it to hold items in my garage.

Read More
- Sophia Paul 6/26/2020 3:39 PM
  
  That's great! 'Single use' items can definitely be used more than once to extend their lifespan before being recycled, composted, or discarded.
  
  Read More
Terry Morgan 6/16/2020 12:26 PM

From time to time I ask myself if I am doing enough to minimize my carbon footprint. I am always searching for new, creative ways to reduce my waste, eat less meat, conserve water and energy around my house - you know, the easy stuff. Working from home due to the current health crisis, has made this even more of a challenge. I utilize the natural lighting in my home during the day so as not to turn on too many lights. I also unplug appliances (think coffee maker) when not in use and have expanded my garden to include more herbs and vegetables. Small steps, but even little ones make a difference. I am also trying to repurpose items - a recent source of pride was locating a thin chain like device that I had no idea where it came from and using it to hang some wall art on the fence outside my garden.

Read More