

Grace DaFonseca
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,206 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO39plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO50minutesspent learning
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UP TO39plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO5.0pieces of plastic cutlerynot sent to the landfill
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UP TO29plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
Grace's actions
Lifestyle
Clean Plate Club
When I need to replace my dish soap, I will switch to a bar or refillable option.
Lifestyle
Ditch Dryer Sheets
I will use wool dryer balls or another plastic-free alternative to dryer sheets to keep my clothes static-free.
Pets
Rubber Glove Pet Hair Removal
I will use a rubber glove to remove pet hair from clothes, carpets and furniture.
Food
Better Gum
I will give up gum or choose gum made from chicle or other plastic-free gum bases.
Food
Skip Plastic Bags
When possible, I will not use disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags.
Lifestyle
Complete a Waste Audit
I will conduct a waste audit - including recyclables and compost - to understand how much waste I create and where I can reduce the most.
Food
Go Strawless
I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.
Lifestyle
Natural Fibers
When available, I will purchase clothing made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.
Family
Thoughtful Toys
I will only buy cloth, wooden or plant-based natural rubber toys. Or make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!
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.
Food
Fill a Water Bottle
I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.
Personal Care
Practice Sustainable Fashion
I will spend 45 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.
Food
Use Reusable Utensils
I will keep 3 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.
Food
Cook a Plastic Free Meal
I will prepare meals at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.
Food
Minimize Packaging
I will purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.
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).
Personal Care
That Was a Close Shave
I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.
Personal Care
Sustainable Suds
I will replace my soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions with a sustainable, unpackaged, or refillable option.
Personal Care
Brush with Bamboo
I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.
Personal Care
Green Beauty
When it's time to buy more, I will replace my beauty products with refillable, sustainable, and/or DIY options.
Community
Research Local Waste Sites
I will spend 45 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.
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 QUESTIONFoodHow difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?
Grace DaFonseca 7/19/2022 7:56 AMUsing reusable grocery and produce bags has not been very difficult. It doesn't hurt that Boston has eliminated single-use plastic grocery bags and that Whole Foods credits you 5 cents for every reusable bag. I hope that other cities and grocery companies across the US take these same steps. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFoodHave you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.
Grace DaFonseca 7/18/2022 12:00 PMI think the best example I have seen of a large, mainstream shift is Starbucks eliminating straws completely. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunityWhat did you find out about your plastic consumption by using the calculator? What did or didn't surprise you?
Grace DaFonseca 7/15/2022 9:52 AMI was most surprised to see the difference in plastic consumption by country. While I am doing well at minimizing plastic and fall well below the average American's use, I was shocked to see I am still using about four times as much plastic as the average Indian's use! I still have a lot I can do to reduce my consumption!-
Amber MacDonald 7/18/2022 2:28 PM
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REFLECTION QUESTIONPersonal CareHow can you express your personality, creativity, and values in ways that don't require fast fashion or buying more clothes and accessories?
Grace DaFonseca 7/13/2022 1:02 PMI've found multiple companies that sell clothes in styles I like that are committed to sustainable practices. I've also started to build a capsule wardrobe so that I buy less. I am so glad to have been making these changes b/c fast fashion's negative impacts are so imbedded in every level of the process - materials, manufacturing, logistics, and packaging. I will continue to support brands that are committed to sustainable practices in all of those areas. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONPetsWe know you want to - tell us about why your pet is so awesome!
Grace DaFonseca 7/13/2022 12:46 PMLove my cats - don't love the white fur they leave behind so visibly on my dark-colored sofa! In addition to rubber, I have also found that pumice captures the fur really well. I am glad to have found multiple natural materials to use instead of those single-use sticky sheets on plastic rollers!