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maryellen reek
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 250 THIS WEEK
- 1,120 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO52disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO23poundsfood waste prevented
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UP TO30minutesspent learning
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UP TO96plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO44plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
maryellen's actions
Kitchen
Take the pre-survey!
Help us make the Plastic Free Ecochallenge the best it can be! Take the challenge pre-survey (and look out for the post-survey at the end of the challenge!) so we can better understand the impact the challenge has and how we can improve in the future. Plus, you'll earn points for completing it! Thank you!
Study
Numbers Everywhere
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.
Bedroom
Natural Fibers
When available, I will purchase clothing and bedding made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.
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.
Family + Pets
Thrifty Pets
I will find secondhand sources for my pet's water/food dishes, collars or leashes.
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 30 minutes learning what the care symbols mean and laundry best practices to make all of my textiles last as long as possible.
Kitchen
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.
Kitchen
Save Jars for Reuse
Pinterest may want you to think that you need a cupboard full of matching mason jars, but reusing what we already have is one of the best ways to reduce our waste. This month, instead of recycling glass jars (such as pasta sauce, pickles, and salsa jars), I will save them to reuse for food storage.
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.
Kitchen
Fill a Water Bottle
Bottled water corporations make plastic bottles, not water. If the tap water in my area is safe for consumption, I will use a reusable bottle instead and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 4 disposable plastic bottles a day.
Kitchen
Use a Reusable Mug
Even just one to-go coffee or tea a week adds up to 52 trashed cups in a year! I will avoid sending 2 disposable cups to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or travel cup.
Kitchen
Plant a Garden
I will plant an herb or vegetable garden using as little plastic as possible and to save from the plastic used buying herbs and veggies.
Kitchen
Skip Plastic Bags
Whenever possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags. I will either use my own reusable bags, or keep my items loose.
Kitchen
Start Composting
Composting isn't just good for soil! Composting your food scraps and other organic materials decreases your overall trash output, so you don't have to take the trash out as often and extend the life of your trash bags (i.e. use less plastic!). This month, I will start a compost collection at home, work, or school and avoid sending 1 pounds of food waste to landfill each day.
Kitchen
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.
Kitchen
Is it trash...or a trash bag?
The plastic industry has convinced us that some plastic bags are "trash bags," while others are just "trash." Instead of throwing empty bags away (such as bread bags, pet food bags, etc.), I will reuse them as trash 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 QUESTIONKitchen Fill a Water BottleInvestigate the bottling practices of water corporations. There have been many cases where the water rights of the local people have been violated or even completely disregarded when a corporation decides to bottle water from a particular water source. How can you advocate for those who have been harmed by this bottling process?
maryellen reek 7/26/2024 3:36 PMJust came back from the zoo as a guest. The water refill stations are such a help. I refilled my bottle at least 4 times. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Save Jars for ReuseWhat's the most creative way you've reused a jar in your home?
maryellen reek 7/26/2024 3:35 PMWe use old jars to hold grease so it doesn’t go into the sink or waterways-
Mary Hanks 7/26/2024 6:28 PMI use jars to store old keys, extra buttons, various office supplies, and even jewelry.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFamily + Pets Thrifty PetsHow does buying used differ from buying new? How does each purchasing decision make you feel?
maryellen reek 7/26/2024 3:33 PMWhen we got our puppy I was able to find gently used dog mind toys on Amazon. I then gave to toy to a friend later with a younger puppy -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Plant a GardenBesides having access to fresh herbs and vegetables, what benefits will you see from growing your own garden?
maryellen reek 7/25/2024 4:38 PMI love being able to pick vegetables and them wash and cook them for dinner the same night. They taste so much better fresh from the ground. I also like growing herbs to use in cooking. Fresh herbs have much more flavor -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBedroom Proper Clothing CareFast fashion depends on consumers buying into constantly changing trends, only wearing their clothes a handful of times, then tossing and buying more. How can you combat those influences to create a more sustainable wardrobe you'll love, value, and care for long-term?
maryellen reek 7/25/2024 4:36 PMI work hard at keeping the same size clothes for many years. I have several items that I continue to wear for over 10 years -
maryellen reek 7/19/2024 1:49 PMPicked our first squash of the season -
maryellen reek 7/13/2024 12:49 PMJust harvested some of our biggest beets ever. Looking forward to roasted beets for dinner-
Lisa Brenskelle 7/13/2024 1:45 PMEnjoy!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Skip Plastic BagsIt can be easy to forget to bring your reusable bags to the store with you - especially if you're going somewhere besides the grocery store. What are your favorite ways to remember your reusable bags?
maryellen reek 7/07/2024 4:08 PMi make sure i have regular reusable bags and ones for produce in my car at all times. i keep them in the back in a netted area-
Barbara Pilert 7/08/2024 3:00 PMI keep them in my car. When I first started using my own bags at the grocery store, I found that I would forget them, so I have a habit of putting them back in my car the next time I use the car.
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