Skip to main content
Debbie Hague's avatar

Debbie Hague

SF Teaching Zoo Zero Wasters

""Less is More""

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 644 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    5.0
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    29
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    waste audit
    conducted

Debbie's actions

Lifestyle

Gastric Plastic

Most deli meats come wrapped in plastic. I am going to buy meats in a can when I make sandwiches (chicken and tuna instead of deli ham and bologna)

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Lifestyle

Complete a Waste Audit

I will conduct a waste audit - including recyclables and compost - to understand how much waste I create and where I can reduce the most.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Skip Plastic Bags

When possible, I will not use disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

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).

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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?


  • Debbie Hague's avatar
    Debbie Hague 7/31/2022 10:53 AM
    By doing this challenge I know that I have become more cognizant of plastic and waste. I know I will continue to do so. My backhall used to hold our recycling bin. ( We live in the country and recycling isn't offered; so we make a monthly trip to the landfill). No more empty plastic gallon milk jugs, Gatorade bottles, and plastic coffee containers. No more plastic Tide bottles or plastic packs. Hallway looks much better. I'm going to keep learning and make efforts to improve on this lifestyle. 

  • Debbie Hague's avatar
    Debbie Hague 7/30/2022 6:10 PM
    I have returned to using powdered laundry detergent again. I'm not ready to make my own yet as I have used Tide all my life but at least it's less plastic.

  • Debbie Hague's avatar
    Debbie Hague 7/13/2022 6:28 PM
    Used parchment paper for the first time tonight to wrap our leftover spaghetti. I ran out of Saran wrap. I can easily understand why doing certain things would be difficult for people especially with busy lives and responsibilities. For example It would be real easy for a parent to wrap their kids sandwiches with Saran wrap in the morning getting ready for school than  it would parchment paper. My hat goes off to these people. 

    • Debbie Hague's avatar
      Debbie Hague 7/15/2022 3:08 PM
      Better to use freezer wrap I think. Parchment is for baking. duh. Freezer tape doesn't stick to parchment.


    • Joanna Caputa's avatar
      Joanna Caputa 7/14/2022 6:47 PM
      Debbie, I hear you! Before I became "plastic aware" I would put my girls sandwiches inside reusable plastic sandwich containers. I guess it was good that I was reusing the containers, but now I'd probably consider those beeswax wraps that you can wash and reuse. My children are grown now and I have the luxury of time to do things that might take more time but I can completely understand a busy parents dilemma when it comes to taking the extra time to be more purposeful as far as plastic use goes. I think it's important to start out with small and easy changes and have some success before tackling bigger changes. 

  • Debbie Hague's avatar
    Debbie Hague 7/07/2022 10:19 AM
    I joined this challenge because my youngest daughter Emily invited me to be on her team the Zero Wasters. I've never done a challenge before and it seemed like it would be fun and I might learn some new ideas, to learn to waste less. Have fun de-plasticing!

    • Emily Hague's avatar
      Emily Hague 7/08/2022 6:34 AM
      Thanks for joining, Mom! Talking to you on the phone about our new changes is certainly motivating!

    • Julie McGrath's avatar
      Julie McGrath 7/07/2022 7:03 PM
      Welcome to the group Debbie!  We are excited to have you join us for this challenge!

  • Debbie Hague's avatar
    Debbie Hague 7/03/2022 7:28 PM
    Switched from a plastic coffee container to one that only has a plastic lid. My husband didn't seem to mind the switch since I don't drink coffee.

  • Debbie Hague's avatar
    Debbie Hague 7/02/2022 8:00 PM
    Making our own milk has been different. Have to keep ahead of the game by making a few glass jars at a time. The taste is a little different also. Need time to get used to it.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Minimize Packaging
    With 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?

    Debbie Hague's avatar
    Debbie Hague 7/02/2022 7:51 PM
    It seems that single use plastics are easier to use- grab them, throw them in the cooler and go. It requires a little more planning and preparation.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Choose Reusable Food Storage
    How can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?

    Debbie Hague's avatar
    Debbie Hague 7/01/2022 4:26 PM
    Instead of buying milk in gallon jugs, we have decided to make our own from powder and store it in a glass jar. Going to try this with the Gatorade too. We'll see how it goes!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Skip Plastic Bags
    How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?

    Debbie Hague's avatar
    Debbie Hague 7/01/2022 4:16 PM
    Made the switch from plastic bags to reusable. I don't know why I didn't do this sooner.