Kate Byrd
7/21/2022 2:25 AM
Family and friends have shared with me that my quest to reduce plastics in my own life has led them to examine their own plastic footprint and make changes.
July 1 - July 31, 2022
Kate Byrd
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 416 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO5.0minutesspent learning
Kate 's actions
Family
Learn about Environmental Justice
Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 30 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.
Food
Cook a Plastic Free Meal
I will prepare meals at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.
Lifestyle
Clean Plate Club
When I need to replace my dish soap, I will switch to a bar or refillable option.
Lifestyle
100% cotton
I will replace my kitchen mats with 100% cotton to eliminate microfibers when they are washed.
Community
Educational Awareness
I will coordinate a program for children and their adults that highlights the dangers of plastics in the ocean with a litter sweep.
Community
Estimate My Plastic Consumption
I will visit the rePurpose website, complete the 3-minute plastic consumption calculator, and explore how I can reBalance my annual plastic footprint.
Lifestyle
Support a Sharing Economy
I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.
Community
Share My Actions
I will make my environmental actions visible by posting to my social media networks.
Family
Reduce popcorn packaging
I will replace bagged popcorn by popping popcorn in the microwave in a glass bowl covered with a plate.
Lifestyle
Ditch Dryer Sheets
I will use wool dryer balls or another plastic-free alternative to dryer sheets to keep my clothes static-free.
Food
Minimize Packaging
I will purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.
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 QUESTIONCommunity Share My ActionsHave you noticed a difference in how your community, friends, and family members use plastics since you've shared your own actions?
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Kate Byrd 7/21/2022 2:15 AMI’m realizing more and more that my biggest source of plastics comes in the form of packaging from the grocery store. I’ve reduced it as much as possible by: eating less meat, reusing any packaging that I can (the ziplock bags that my frozen blueberries and chia seeds come in can be rinsed and reused for food storage in my pantry or freezer and the toilet paper packaging, if opened carefully, can be reused to line a wastebasket), buying as few processed foods as possible, shopping at farmers markets and farm stands, and bringing my own shopping bags and produce bags, -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Estimate My Plastic ConsumptionWhat did you find out about your plastic consumption by using the calculator? What did or didn't surprise you?
Kate Byrd 7/19/2022 5:45 PMI was glad to find that my plastic consumption is significantly lower than the average American or European because I have steadily made changes to decrease my footprint. I was not really surprised by the results because I knew that groceries and cooking are the areas that would be the highest and are the most difficult to completely reduce. -
Kate Byrd 7/19/2022 2:55 AMI long ago stopped buying bagged snacks except for popcorn my guilty purchase of Aldi’s Simple Nature Organic Sea Salt popcorn. I explored the easiest way to indulge my craving and settled on a glass bowl with a glass lid in the microwave. I didn’t have to buy anything and the packaging is much less, and it smells so good when it’s popping! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLifestyle Ditch Dryer SheetsOften, single-use and disposable products don't just create more trash - they also contain toxins that are bad for humans. What are some other single-use items that are harmful to humans?
Kate Byrd 7/19/2022 2:40 AMThe list of single-use plastics that are harmful to humans is long. Among them are plastic bags, drink bottles, dryer sheets, straws, drink cups, detergent pods, food wrappers disposable diapers, ziplock bags, plastic wrap, and feminine products. So many harmful products have gained a foothold in our society when they were marketed to save time or as being the healthier option. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLifestyle Support a Sharing EconomyWhat are the benefits of a sharing economy? How could a sharing economy change the dynamics you have with friends, family and/or neighbors?
Kate Byrd 7/15/2022 2:24 AMI needed a big cooler to hold frozen food when I defrosted my small chest freezer. I asked a friend if she had one that I could borrow and she did. I only needed it for a short time so it worked out perfectly. I was not raised in a household that encouraged sharing with other families so it feels strange to do it. I’ve joined some local FB groups and have been pleased to see that it is something that people in my town are doing. My local library also has a small lending library of items that I can take advantage of. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Minimize PackagingWith the added mindfulness of reducing your packaging, what have you noticed about the amount and type of single use plastics used for packaging when you shop in the grocery store?
Kate Byrd 7/15/2022 2:18 AMReducing single-use plastic packaging at the grocery store is one of the most difficult changes to make. I buy very little processed food that’s packaged in plastic. I buy fruits and vegetables at the farmers market and bring my own produce bags. I’m still looking for plastic-free ways to purchase cheeses and have long been reusing as much plastic packaging as I can when I store other food.