Tanya Blackwell

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.

I will spend 30 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 use reusable dishes and silverware when eating at work.

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

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.

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

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

I will make my environmental actions visible by posting to my social media networks.

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

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

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 60 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

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

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

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

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 3 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

I will make my own cleaning products at home.

I will spend 30 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

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.

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

I will spend at least 30 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 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 spend at least 30 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 3 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

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

When available, I will purchase clothing made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.

I will donate 3 zero waste period kits to young people with periods so that they can reduce their waste and the financial burden of menstruation while continuing their education.