

Lizzy Simpson
"My goal this year is to bring this challenge to my students and families so I need all the ideas!"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 2,420 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0community eventhosted or attended
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UP TO8.0conversationswith people
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UP TO67disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO909minutesspent learning
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UP TO121pieces of plastic cutlerynot sent to the landfill
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UP TO109plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO160plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO63plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
Lizzy's actions
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.
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.
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 30 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.
Study
Dig into Bioplastics
I will spend at least 30 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 5 friends, family, and/or colleagues.
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.
Bedroom
Practice Sustainable Fashion
I will spend 30 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.
Bedroom
Sunshine Bleached
I will hang-dry my laundry to use the sun as a natural bleach alternative, or use another natural bleach alternative.
Bedroom
Eco Detergent
I will use laundry detergent that is packaged in glass or aluminum, or an alternative like soap nuts.
Bathroom
Homemade or Refillable Cleaners
I will make my own cleaning products or choose plastic-free, refillable options.
Bathroom
Green Beauty
When it's time to buy more, I will replace my beauty products with refillable, sustainable, and/or DIY options.
Bathroom
A Sustainable Flow
I will make the switch to sustainable, reusable period products.
Bathroom
Eco Deodorant
I will switch to a plastic-free deodorant — whether purchased or DIY'd.
Bathroom
Pearly Whites
I will switch to a plastic-free toothpaste — whether purchased or DIY'd.
Bathroom
Sustainable Suds
I will replace my soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions with sustainable, unpackaged, or refillable options.
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
Use Reusable Utensils
I will keep 2 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.
Community
Host a Watch Party
I will host a watch party with friends and/or colleagues to watch and discuss a movie about plastics.
Kitchen
Skip Plastic Bags
When possible, I will not use disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags.
Kitchen
Try a New Recipe
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.
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.
Study
Estimate Your Ecological Footprint
I will calculate my ecological footprint, and from the results brainstorm and take action on ways I can reduce my annual footprint.
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
I will use wool dryer balls or another plastic-free alternative to dryer sheets to keep my clothes static-free.
Bedroom
Catch Those Microfibers
I will use a microfiber catcher in my laundry, or install a microfiber filter for my washing machine.
Bathroom
Travel Toiletries
If traveling, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me.
Bathroom
That Was a Close Shave
I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.
Bathroom
Brush with Bamboo
I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.
Kitchen
Fill a Water Bottle
I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.
Kitchen
Use a Reusable Mug
If possible, I will avoid sending 4 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own travel cup.
Kitchen
Choose Reusable Food Storage
I will only use reusable containers instead of single-use plastic storage items (such as plastic wrap, single-use sandwich bags).
Kitchen
Clean Plate Club
When I need to replace my dish soap, I will switch to a bar or refillable option.
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.
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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Lizzy Simpson 7/31/2023 1:38 AMGo team! Great work this month-
Connie Peterson 7/31/2023 1:32 PMLizzy you are amazing! Your students are so lucky to have you! Great Job!
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Lizzy Simpson 7/29/2023 7:40 PMWe just got home today and found the rest of the complex with 13 more trees down and many buildings with damage. If it wasn’t clear about climate change, I think this is a great example. Extra reminder that every little thing we can do can help-
Susan Rubin 7/30/2023 6:17 AMMy brother hiked phone line trail in Sabino Canyon after the micro burst. Very sad that many of the Saguaro were down. -
Connie Peterson 7/29/2023 8:28 PMWe ran some errands today driving north on Kolb Road... from Davis Monthon base to as far as we went on Broadway was absolute devastation from a huge microburst. Unbelievable... found a video on you tube of the microburst... wow it covered a huge area... they were using huge boom cranes trying to lift these monstrous trees off apartment complex land, parking lots... trees on homes, cars etc. Be safe team!
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Lizzy Simpson 7/28/2023 7:39 PMAnyone have good Halloween decorating that is eco friendly? I want to decorate my class this year with repurposed things. Was thinking of plastic bottles turning into ghosts -
Lizzy Simpson 7/27/2023 3:38 PMI was feeling so accomplished but then a tree fell on my house last night and the boyfriend and the 5 cats and gecko and I are all displaced at the moment. Gecko is with one friend and the rest of us are with another so I’m feeling like there will be back peddling on the progress since we don’t have our reusable things or food right now. At least the rain is helping the rest of the plants-
Connie Peterson 7/28/2023 7:35 AMOh no Lizzy! I am so sorry this happened to you and your family. Glad you are all safe and hoping your home is repaired quickly. Blessings -
Susan Rubin 7/27/2023 4:05 PMSorry this happened. Is there anything I can possibly help you with?
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Lizzy Simpson 7/27/2023 3:38 PMI was feeling so accomplished but then a tree fell on my house last night and the boyfriend and the 5 cats and gecko and I are all displaced at the moment. Gecko is with one friend and the rest of us are with another so I’m feeling like there will be back peddling on the progress since we don’t have our reusable things or food right now. At least the rain is helping the rest of the plants -
Lizzy Simpson 7/26/2023 8:43 AMJust picked up a bunch of reusable water bottles for my students this year. They are on my class supply list but kids always forget them or can’t afford them so I’m happy to have a small collection for them to use.-
Connie Peterson 7/26/2023 4:42 PMThats amazing! Teachers contribute so much.... Kudos!
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Lizzy Simpson 7/24/2023 9:14 PMWent out to lunch and remembers my reusable Tupperware for my leftovers. :)-
Connie Peterson 7/26/2023 2:29 PMGood girl! I thought that team members post was the BEST idea that I have seen on this site!! I actually set up a soft sided lunch box with our reuseable containers too. Put right by our back door. Wish me luck remembering to grab it Saturday when we go for Indian Twist lunch
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Lizzy Simpson 7/23/2023 12:19 PMI want ideas for gift rapping to save for December holidays. What do you guys do to help the planet when wrapping gifts?-
Susan Rubin 7/26/2023 3:45 PMI save gift bags and tissue paper and reuse many times. I also, give gifts in recycle bags as an extra gift. -
Lizzy Simpson 7/24/2023 9:18 PMWe always reuse gift bags and I’m slowly getting through the wrapping paper my mom has collected but I love these ideas! Excited to look into furoshiki wraps :) -
Krystina Jarvis 7/23/2023 5:27 PMReusable gift bags, furoshiki wraps, a festive tea towel, newspaper with some evergreen sprigs and natural twine, reused Kraft paper with some festive stamps - there are so many ways to wrap gifts zero waste! I love finding creative ways to wrap gifts, but I gotta say furoshiki are my favorite. There are basically unlimited ways to wrap things with them and they're so pretty to look at 😍 -
Connie Peterson 7/23/2023 1:58 PMMy husband's family has, for many decades always wrapped family gifts in newspaper! My daughter in law tells our grandkids "Santa doesn't have time to wrap the worlds presents" the wrapped presents are the one special gift from the parents, grandparents.... nothing from Santa is wrapped 😀 I love the page of desert themed wrap in the newspaper here, I always us it for small gifts but we dumped the paper with the price increases... i'll miss that...
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REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Use a Reusable MugSince the restrictions that COVID-19 has required of our society, trying to use your own cup might present new barriers, as well as new opportunities for creative problem solving. How were you able to achieve success on this action? How can you make it a long-term habit?
Lizzy Simpson 7/23/2023 12:19 PMWe have a coffee maker at work and I use it to make hot coco but using my own mug and donating extra mugs to co workers has really be great and has given me more room at my house since teachers have so many mugs -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Try a New RecipeHow do you feel about being more involved in the food preparation process? Joyful, overwhelmed, engaged, empowered? What are the benefits of choosing to process or produce your own food instead of buying it pre-processed?
Lizzy Simpson 7/23/2023 12:17 PMWe usually do Blue Apron meals but looking for recipes every day has become something super fun to work on and I’m finding recipes for my coworker who has a daughter that is gluten and dairy free-
Connie Peterson 7/23/2023 2:32 PMMy friend across the street is the sourdough bread queen. She's been home in Alaska all month. I am going to add this task to my commitment.... I want to learn her soughdough methods.... so many amazing add in's.... its different every loaf!
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