Jess Kohring

Post to our Team APE feed about an item that you "upcycled" or "creatively reused" and thereby avoided consuming plastic associated with buying a new item and having that item sent to you/your area!

I will pick up 10 piece(s) of litter each day.

I will give my pets natural alternatives to toys like femur bones and antlers, canvas, natural rubber, hemp, rope or cotton toys. Or make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!

I will teach my little ones about microplastics while we do a craft project together using glitter alternatives.

I will find secondhand sources for my pet's water/food dishes, collars or leashes.

I will use a rubber glove to remove pet hair from clothes, carpets and furniture.

I will swap out 4 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

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

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 1 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

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.

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 purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.

I will visit the rePurpose website, complete the 3-minute plastic consumption calculator, and explore how I can reBalance my annual plastic footprint.

I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.

I will replace my pet's shampoo with an eco-friendly shampoo bar or refillable shampoo option.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 10 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

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 not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

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 15 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

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

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

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