

Laura Fishman
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,561 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO12advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO1.0waste auditconducted
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UP TO53plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO29conversationswith people
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UP TO470minutesspent learning
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UP TO14disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO653pieces of litterpicked up
Laura's actions
Food
Advocate For Better Food Packaging
I will advocate for alternatives to single use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, or work.
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
Better Gum
I will give up gum or choose gum made from chicle or other plastic-free gum bases.
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.
Personal Care
That Was a Close Shave
I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.
Community
Dig into Bioplastics
I will spend at least 120 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 20 friends, family, and/or colleagues.
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.
Personal Care
Eco Deodorant
I will switch to a plastic-free deodorant — whether purchased or DIY'd.
Lifestyle
Ditch Dryer Sheets
I will use wool dryer balls or another plastic-free alternative to dryer sheets to keep my clothes static-free.
Community
Keep My Community Clean
I will pick up 5 piece(s) of litter each day.
Community
Become a Recycling Pro
Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 60 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.
Personal Care
Green Beauty
When it's time to buy more, I will replace my beauty products with refillable, sustainable, and/or DIY options.
Lifestyle
Practice Sustainable Fashion
I will spend 60 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.
Lifestyle
Proper Bioplastic Disposal
I will spend at least 60 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 20 friends, family, and/or colleagues.
Family
Learn about Environmental Justice
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.
Lifestyle
Homemade Cleaners
I will make my own cleaning products at home.
Lifestyle
Travel Toiletries
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.
Lifestyle
Natural Fibers
When available, I will purchase clothing made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.
Lifestyle
Travel Eating
If traveling, I will bring my own snacks and meals in my own containers to avoid the waste of take-out containers.
Personal Care
Say No to "Flushable Wipes"
Wipes don't break down in sewer systems, but combine with fat to create massive clogs. I will find alternatives to using disposable wipes.
Family
Natural Paints
I will paint rooms in my home with low/no VOC or natural paints.
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!
Personal Care
Practice Sustainable Fashion
I will spend 30 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.
Family
Swap the Snacks
I will swap out 5 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.
Community
Say No to Styrofoam
Throughout its life cycle, polystyrene (styrofoam) can harm people, communities, and the planet. I will refuse styrofoam whenever I can, making sure to kindly let people know why I'm asking for alternative packaging.
Lifestyle
Clean Plate Club
When I need to replace my dish soap, I will switch to a bar or refillable option.
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.
Personal Care
Sustainable Suds
I will replace my soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions with a sustainable, unpackaged, or refillable option.
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 QUESTIONCommunityWhat did you learn about how plastic production impacts humans, animals, communities, and the environment? Which of these impacts specifically affects your community?
Laura Fishman 7/31/2022 7:38 PMI've learned that plastic is everywhere and polluting even our bodies. -
Laura Fishman 7/31/2022 7:34 PMIt's going great. I am very glad I joined the challenge as I have learned so much about plastics and that bioplastics are not the panacea I thought. I will keep educating myself, pass my new knowledge to my friends and family and practice what I've learned -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFamilyWhat did you and your family learn about environmental justice? What questions came up for you? What feelings?
Laura Fishman 7/31/2022 3:18 PMWe really didn't learn anything new, we are already conscientious citizens but reading the article and watching the video increased my impetus to continue this challenge on my own event after today -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLifestyleWhat did you learn about the waste you create? Where can you reduce the most?
Laura Fishman 7/31/2022 11:54 AMThe waste we create at my household is mostly dirt from the vacuum cleaner and packaging materials of various types, mostly plastic.
I have started my switch to products and will made a pledge to myself to never buy fruits or veggies in clam shell packaging.
But overall I don't feel too bad at the waste at my household, I really don't create that much waste. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLifestyleWhat concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.
Laura Fishman 7/30/2022 8:45 PMMy biggest concern is the pollution my generation, baby boomer, is leaving behind to our children and grandchildren.
Everything from furniture to food is made of or packaged in plastic.
Plastic has been found in the most remote places and is polluting our oceans/ -
REFLECTION QUESTIONPersonal CareHow can you advocate for the importance of reducing packaging to the rest of your friends, family and larger community?
Laura Fishman 7/30/2022 8:38 PMI have been forwarding some of the articles and videos I have found while participating in this ecochallenge -
REFLECTION QUESTIONPersonal CareWhat are the economic and personal benefits of switching to bar soap/shampoo/conditioner or refillable bottle options?
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Laura Fishman 7/30/2022 7:50 PMI have found that even with the best intentions it is extremely difficult to avoid the use of plastics. All my medications come in plastic bottles for example and going out of my way to look for plastic free alternatives for anything is time consuming, time that sometimes I do not have. But I'm trying my hardest.
Also, trying to convince others is frustrating. I think so far only 3 of the people I've talked to about reducing plastic use have been completely receptive, others do not seem sincere to me when they say they'll look into it.-
Debra Lee Norton Wear 7/31/2022 8:40 AMMedicine is a bit harder but couldn’t we use boxes or paper to put it in ? Idk. Just a thought
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REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunityWhat did you learn about bioplastic production and disposal? Did anything surprise you? Are bioplastics accepted by your city's waste management?
Laura Fishman 7/20/2022 11:09 AMI learned that bioplastics have been over rated and won't biodegrade as easily as I thought. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFamilyDoes your child play differently with natural or repurposed toys than with other toys? If so, how?
Laura Fishman 7/20/2022 11:06 AMI don't have small children anymore but I do remember that when my children were little they loved to play with empty cardboard boxes.