Katherine Heffernan

I will spend 3 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

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 5 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 1 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

I will spend 5 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

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

I will give my pets natural alternatives to toys like femur bones and antlers, canvas, natural rubber, hemp, rope or cotton toys. Or make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!

I will use reusable dishes and silverware when eating at work.

I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.

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

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 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 5 piece(s) of litter each day.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 15 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

I will spend 5 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

I will keep 2 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

If possible, I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own travel cup.

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

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

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

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