Kristen Ballou

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

I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

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 plant a herb or vegetable garden using as little plastic as possible and to save from the plastic used buying herbs and veggies.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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