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Mathew Lam's avatar

Mathew Lam

Seattle Children's - Green Team

"Consciously making environmental decisions until they become subconscious. "

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 780 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    44
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    30
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    46
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    61
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    260
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    10
    pieces of plastic cutlery
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    28
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill

Mathew's actions

Food

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 3 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Keep My Community Clean

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

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Fill a Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Use a Reusable Mug

If possible, I will avoid sending 3 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own travel cup.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

See the Green

I will recycle used contact lenses and packaging.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Switch to Loose Leaf Tea

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusables at Work

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

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Go Strawless

I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Pets

Invest in a Pooper-Scooper

I will swap out my single use plastic bags for a pooper-scooper.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Pets

Thrifty Pets

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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).

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    In what neighborhoods or areas of your region are landfills or other waste sites located? Which communities are most affected by these locations?

    Mathew Lam's avatar
    Mathew Lam 7/19/2022 11:17 AM
    I noticed that most of these waste management facilities are pretty close to main throughways. By I5 off the freeway in Tukwila/Seatac) or in South Park (north Seatac). These areas are not known for being safe/nice areas, wonder if placement of these facilities was somewhat linked to income disparities. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    Take time to reflect or meditate over your plastic-free cup of tea. Share your thoughts and reflections with us here!

    Mathew Lam's avatar
    Mathew Lam 7/19/2022 11:15 AM
    Prepping my iced tea (about 2 liters thanks to loose leaf) gave me time to think about how many bottles of pre-made iced tea I saved. Also had me thinking, I can personalize my tea if I want more fruity vs more herbal. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Pets
    How does buying used differ from buying new? How does each purchasing decision make you feel?

    Mathew Lam's avatar
    Mathew Lam 7/18/2022 1:14 PM
    It does depend on the product. For my dogs, they can be very picky/not like toys. But for other items, harnesses, leashes, collars, blankets, etc, I do not mind throwing them in the washer when I find a great piece to reuse. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Pets
    How are caring for your pet and caring for the environment connected for you?

    Mathew Lam's avatar
    Mathew Lam 7/18/2022 1:13 PM
    Having a yard has been helpful to use a pooper scooper so that all my pets can do their business and once a day or so, I can go out and clean up after them. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Personal Care
    What have you noticed about the economic and social impact of switching to steel razors? Was there ever really a need for disposable razors, or do you think it was just a way to sell more things?

    Mathew Lam's avatar
    Mathew Lam 7/18/2022 1:12 PM
    Disposable razors can be helpful while on trips, but most people forget that it is allowed in carry-on bags. This is usually when I have to remind myself to NOT forget my home razor.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    How can you be an advocate for using reusables instead of disposables for the rest of your community? Where are they currently dependent on disposable food packaging or eating utensils, and how can you convince them of the need for change?

    Mathew Lam's avatar
    Mathew Lam 7/18/2022 1:01 PM
    Looking at expense of single use vs reusable is the quickest for me when it comes to convincing others to make the change. Most people feel that a package of single use, while it can be convenient, a reusable container of utensil can save more money. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    How can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?

    Mathew Lam's avatar
    Mathew Lam 7/13/2022 9:34 AM
    I now see using reusable bags as a way to share messages, such as rocking the SCH lunch bag/tote, cute pandas depicted on the bag, or political topics such as Protect Trans Youth.

    • Tanya Blackwell's avatar
      Tanya Blackwell 7/14/2022 6:04 AM
      I like this!  Since Pride month just ended on June 30th and this challenge began on July 1st, I was happy to get my hands on some PRIDE reusable grocery bags.  I like that when I use them, I'm not only helping the environment, but I am also sharing messages of love and support for the LGBTQ+ community.  That's a WIN-WIN!  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    What did you find out about your plastic consumption by using the calculator? What did or didn't surprise you?

    Mathew Lam's avatar
    Mathew Lam 7/11/2022 11:02 AM
    It was alarming to see that I heavily rely on plastic bags at smaller chain stores. I have a surplus of bags at home that I have collected over the years. Yikes!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?

    Mathew Lam's avatar
    Mathew Lam 7/11/2022 11:01 AM
    I shop at Costco frequently and reuse their boxes for my purchased. Then I reuse their boxes at home or recycle or upcycle to others or for compost. This made it much easier for me to participate in less plastic bags.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    It is often true that we only have control over our own actions and not the collective community. How can you lead by example when it comes to switching disposables for reusable dishes in your community?

    Mathew Lam's avatar
    Mathew Lam 7/11/2022 10:59 AM
    Demonstrating to others that packing your own food in constrainers that can be washed (including reusable utensils) after lunch reminds others that we can do our part to minimizing excessive use of plastics and waste.