Connie Peterson

I will keep 10 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

If traveling, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 6 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

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

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

I will hang-dry my laundry to use the sun as a natural bleach alternative, or use another natural bleach alternative.

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

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 prepare my own pet food to avoid plastic packaging.

When I need to replace my dish soap, I will switch to a bar or refillable option.

I will purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.

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

I will replace my soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions with sustainable, unpackaged, or refillable options.