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Mala msharma25@wustl.edu's avatar

Mala [email protected]

WashU Plastic Free

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 491 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    38
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    12
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    25
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    19
    pieces of plastic cutlery
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    11
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill

Mala's actions

Food

Plant a Garden

I will plant a herb or vegetable garden using as little plastic as possible and to save from the plastic used buying herbs and veggies.

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 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 2 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Fill a Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 5 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Attend Plastic Use in Research and Healthcare (July 20, 12 - 1pm)

Join WashU Sustainability Staff July 20th from 12pm – 1pm to learn more about how single-use plastics are used in research and healthcare and how you can begin to reduce plastic use in your lab or practice.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusables at Work

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

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

GO A DAY WITHOUT EATING MEAT

Reducing meat consumption has many benefits; it curtails greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and soil degradation. It will also save an enormous amount of land, water use and will increase biodiversity.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Cook a Plastic Free Meal

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

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 9
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
    Food
    Do an inventory of your kitchen to see how many single-use plastics you've used in the past. What are some resuable alternatives to these commonly used products? What would your impact be if you switched all the single-use products from your inventory to reusable?

    Mala msharma25@wustl.edu's avatar
    Mala [email protected] 7/19/2022 8:13 AM
    I deface the labels and make storage containers. I wash the ziptop bags, dry these and reuse.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    With the added mindfulness of reducing your packaging, what have you noticed about the amount and type of single use plastics used for packaging when you shop in the grocery store?

    Mala msharma25@wustl.edu's avatar
    Mala [email protected] 7/19/2022 8:12 AM
    A few brands have switched to paper packaging .
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    How can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?

    Mala msharma25@wustl.edu's avatar
    Mala [email protected] 7/06/2022 1:36 PM
    The restaurants can give credit for every spoon/fork/knife refused by the customer.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?

    Mala msharma25@wustl.edu's avatar
    Mala [email protected] 7/01/2022 9:00 AM
    It's super easy given my cultural background. I have to remind our kids though who were born here and didn't grow up using reusable bags, but they are catching on.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    Since the restrictions that COVID-19 has required of our society, trying to use your own cup might present new barriers, as well as new opportunities for creative problem solving. How were you able to achieve success on this action? How can you make it a long-term habit?

    Mala msharma25@wustl.edu's avatar
    Mala [email protected] 7/01/2022 8:58 AM
    I use my own mug, then wash it in the break room and bring it back to my desk space. Mostly everyone has been doing that.
  • 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?

    Mala msharma25@wustl.edu's avatar
    Mala [email protected] 7/01/2022 8:57 AM
    I always have cutlery I bring from home in my lunch bag . My coworkers have started doing the same. At parties with friends, some have started hiring an hourly helper to wash dishes which gives extra money to someone and keeps us from using one time use disposable plates, etc. 
  • 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?

    Mala msharma25@wustl.edu's avatar
    Mala [email protected] 7/01/2022 8:54 AM
    slowly people are learning to not heat food in plastic wares and instead use glass bowls and ceramic plates.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    Have you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.

    Mala msharma25@wustl.edu's avatar
    Mala [email protected] 7/01/2022 8:53 AM
    I see few people using stainless steel straws and also paper straws.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    Besides having access to fresh herbs and vegetables, what benefits will you see from growing your own garden?

    Mala msharma25@wustl.edu's avatar
    Mala [email protected] 7/01/2022 8:52 AM
    Our kids will learn from our actions too.