Peg Armstrong-Gustafson

I will spend 10 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

I will switch to a plastic-free deodorant — whether purchased or DIY'd.

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

I will advocate for alternatives to single use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, or work.

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

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

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

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.

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.

I will lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.

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

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.

Because many tea bags and most sleeves and sachets contain plastic, I will switch to using loose leaf tea.

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

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

I will spend at least 5 minute(s) touring (virtually or in person) a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about our local waste and waste recovery streams.

I will host or participate in a beach, highway, river, or other cleanup effort in my community that follows the CDC’s current guidelines for prevention of disease transfer.

If traveling, I will bring my own snacks and meals in my own containers to avoid the waste of take-out containers.

I will paint rooms in my home with low/no VOC or natural paints.

I will raise money to support a nonprofit dedicated to plastic pollution reduction.

I will spend 1 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 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.

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 give a shout-out on social media to a local company, coworker, friend or family member for their plastic free or green efforts.

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 2 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.