Sharon Stow
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 430 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO9.0plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
-
UP TO6.0disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
-
UP TO2.0plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
-
UP TO20minutesspent learning
Sharon's actions
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.
Kitchen
Dive Into Expiration Dates
Just because something is past its "expiration date," it might not actually be expired! I will spend 20 minutes learning about the difference between best by, use by, and sell by dates and how to tell if my food is actually expired.
Kitchen
Clean Plate Club
When I need to replace my dish soap, I will switch to a bar or refillable option.
Kitchen
Better Gum
Ever wonder how gum can stay chewy for so long without ever breaking down? Yep - it's plastic! This month, I will give up gum or choose gum made from chicle or other plastic-free gum bases.
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
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.
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.
Bedroom
Eco Detergent
Ditch the plastic jugs, artificial dyes, and harmful ingredients! When it's time to replace my current laundry detergent, I will switch to a natural laundry detergent that is packaged in glass or aluminum, or an alternative like soap nuts.
Family + Pets
Thoughtful Toys
I will only buy cloth, wooden or plant-based natural rubber toys. Or make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!
Community
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!
Bathroom
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.
Bathroom
Travel Toiletries
Travel-size toiletries aren't just more expensive per ounce, they also have a higher plastic-to-contents ratio, and result in over 980 tonnes (2.2 million pounds) of plastic waste each year. If traveling this month, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me.
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?
-
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?
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Use a Reusable MugDid you encounter any resistance from your local coffee shop when trying to use your own mug? How did you navigate it, and how can you advocate from this to be a more commonplace practice in your community?
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Plant a GardenBesides having access to fresh herbs and vegetables, what benefits will you see from growing your own garden?
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONBathroom Travel ToiletriesWhat is the benefit of using bar soaps or refilling your travel sized containers? Is this an action you think you will keep in your life?
Sharon Stow 7/27/2024 11:39 AMI will refill the travel size containers from the large refill bottles I use. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Save Jars for ReuseWhat's the most creative way you've reused a jar in your home?
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Is it trash...or a trash bag?It's only "single-use" if it's only used once! What are some other creative ways to reuse unavoidable "single-use" items?
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Better GumWhy do you chew gum? What habits could replace and meet your reasons for chewing gum?
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONBathroom Use What You HaveBesides the economic benefits of using the things we already own, how can this practice impact our lives in other ways and influence the way we interact with "things"?
Sharon Stow 7/07/2024 7:39 AMIt’s easier to refill a small bottle then constantly buy new small bottles.