I think going forward I'm going to have to assess how much of an item I need and if an unpackaged item would better fit my needs rather than buying produce wrapped in plastic for the deal. This might also help me save on food waste.
Victoria Reddick
"Reducing plastic waste one point at a time!"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,251 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0advocacy actioncompleted
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UP TO3.0conversationswith people
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UP TO29disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO110minutesspent learning
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UP TO334pieces of litterpicked up
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UP TO29pieces of plastic cutlerynot sent to the landfill
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UP TO51plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
Victoria's actions
Community
Learn about Plastic Production
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.
Food
Advocate for Plastic-Free Dining
I will talk to the owner or manager of a restaurant I frequent to request that they reduce their use of single-use and disposable plastics.
Personal Care
Green Beauty
When it's time to buy more, I will replace my beauty products with refillable, sustainable, and/or DIY options.
Personal Care
A Sustainable Flow
I will make the switch to sustainable, reusable period products.
Food
Minimize Packaging
I will purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.
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.
Community
Dig into Bioplastics
I will spend at least 30 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.
Community
Become a Recycling Pro
Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 10 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.
Food
Use Reusable Utensils
I will keep 1 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.
Family
Swap the Snacks
I will swap out 2 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.
Lifestyle
Buy Only What I Need
I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.
Community
Keep My Community Clean
I will pick up 10 piece(s) of litter each day.
Food
Use Reusables at Work
I will use reusable dishes and silverware when eating at work.
Food
Use a Reusable Mug
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.
Food
Plant a Garden
I will plant a herb or vegetable garden using as little plastic as possible and to save from the plastic used buying herbs and veggies.
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).
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 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?
Victoria Reddick 7/20/2022 3:27 PMI never really realized how much of the grocery store's produce section is wrapped in flexible plastics, especially for items that don't need it. The only reason they are bound this way is so you buy in bulk.
I think going forward I'm going to have to assess how much of an item I need and if an unpackaged item would better fit my needs rather than buying produce wrapped in plastic for the deal. This might also help me save on food waste. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Become a Recycling ProWhat have you learned about what is accepted by local haulers for recycling, what you can drop off or ship to certain places, and what is not recyclable in your area? What is the most difficult part of recycling for you?
Victoria Reddick 7/15/2022 5:14 PMI think the most difficult part of recycling is knowing even if I am sorting my recyclable items properly at home, those items may not get recycled anyway if they end up getting contaminated. I think what I've learned is that I can't completely rely on our waste systems and I must further reduce how much waste I create in order to make a bigger difference. -
Victoria Reddick 7/12/2022 2:17 PMmy herbs are starting to sprout 🪴✨ -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Keep My Community CleanHow does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?
Victoria Reddick 7/11/2022 3:36 PMPicking up litter helps me remind myself that taking care of my surroundings is not someone else's job. If I want my community to be clean I have to participate as well by throwing my waste in the proper bins and picking up litter when I can. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Dig into BioplasticsWhat did you learn about bioplastic production and disposal? Did anything surprise you? Are bioplastics accepted by your city's waste management?
Victoria Reddick 7/09/2022 5:59 AMBioplastics are really interesting. I do not want to villainize them as bioplastics have their uses and still emit fewer GHGs during their production than oil-based plastics. However, our composting systems would need to significantly change for them to be properly broken down. I also did not realize that some bioplastics degrade just like normal plastics and cause the exact same issues as normal plastics.
Bioplastics and compostable plastics are not accepted by Toronto's composting program. It seems like the only way you would be able to properly compost these items (if they can in fact be composted) is in an at-home compost.
I've linked a video here that shows 10 different ways people compost at home.-
Michelle Anne Olsen 7/11/2022 5:18 AMThank you so much for this information, and these links! I wish that bioplastics were a magic solution, but it's important to understand their limitations, and where they can and cannot be disposed of effectively. I wonder if I can sell my partner on a worm compost...
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Use a Reusable MugSince the restrictions that COVID-19 has required of our society, trying to use your own cup might present new barriers, as well as new opportunities for creative problem solving. How were you able to achieve success on this action? How can you make it a long-term habit?
Victoria Reddick 7/07/2022 5:37 AMI used to find this action really easy pre-covid19, but since restrictions limiting the spread of covid-19 were put in place I find it incredibly difficult to use my own mug in a coffee shop. Most of the time now places will take my cup but prepare the drink in a plastic cup and then throw out the plastic cup after pouring it into my mug. It's frustrating because making a drink this way defeats the purpose of bringing the mug at all. Even Peacock Cafe does this! I find it is easier to just make my coffee at home as it is more sustainable and cheaper. -
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?
Victoria Reddick 7/06/2022 6:57 PMI was not surprised much by the results of this calculator. I was low in most categories for plastic usage except for groceries and snacks. I don't do the grocery shopping in my household so it can be hard to make shopping decisions. Even when I am able to I find that where we normally shop it can be hard to avoid plastic packaging. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONPersonal Care A Sustainable FlowDisposable tampons and menstrual pads are often quite expensive. What are the economic and personal benefits of this switch for you?
Victoria Reddick 7/05/2022 5:06 PMI find the reusable options I chose to be much more comfortable and less noticeable. I like that I don't have to use as many products or change them as much either. Though the change has been a little different than what I am used to, with some patience I think this change will stick. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFamily Swap the SnacksHow does swapping out prepackaged snacks for fresh fruit or veggies benefit your family?
Victoria Reddick 7/05/2022 4:55 PMI feel like I'm eating much more nutritious snacks with this challenge and I do enjoy that however, I didn't think about how many snacks I was eating were individually wrapped. It cuts out many of the snacks I'm used to eating at work or when I get home. This challenge also forces me to plan my snacks ahead of time. So far I've gone 5 days without having an individually portioned snack. Hopefully that lasts. Definatly an exciting challenge! -
Victoria Reddick 7/04/2022 2:34 PMStarted my herb garden over the weekend! Never planted anything by seeds before so we will see how this turns out.-
Michelle Anne Olsen 7/05/2022 6:55 AMI have the opposite of a green thumb. Let us know how this goes!!
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