Alexandra Byrne

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

Reducing meat consumption has many benefits; it curtails greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and soil degradation. It will also save an enormous amount of land, water use and will increase biodiversity.

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.

I will spend at least 45 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 2 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

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

Join WashU Sustainability Staff July 20th from 12pm – 1pm to learn more about how single-use plastics are used in research and healthcare and how you can begin to reduce plastic use in your lab or practice.

I will give up gum or choose gum made from chicle or other plastic-free gum bases.

I will only use reusable containers instead of single-use plastic storage items (such as plastic wrap, single-use sandwich bags).

I will prepare meals at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

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

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

I will make my own cleaning products at home.

If traveling, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me in a TSA-approved reusable quart-sized bag.

I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.

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 swap out 1 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

I will find secondhand sources for my pet's water/food dishes, collars or leashes.

I will prepare my own pet treats to avoid plastic packaging.

I will visit the rePurpose website, complete the 3-minute plastic consumption calculator, and explore how I can reBalance my annual plastic footprint.

I will pick up 2 piece(s) of litter each day.

I will spend 20 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

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

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