Angelica Ortiz

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 3 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

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

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

I will prepare my own pet food to avoid plastic packaging.

I will prepare my own pet treats to avoid plastic packaging.

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

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 spend 10 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

I will talk to the owner or manager of a restaurant I frequent to request that they reduce their use of single-use and disposable plastics.

I will swap out 2 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

I will spend 10 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

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.

When available, I will purchase clothing made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.

I will lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.

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

I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.

When I need to replace my dish soap, I will switch to a bar or refillable option.

I will only pack reusable cutlery, drinkware and tupperware-like containers in my children's lunches to reduce plastic waste.

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

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 2 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

I will only buy cloth, wooden or plant-based natural rubber toys. Or make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

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

I will raise money to support a nonprofit dedicated to plastic pollution reduction.

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 make my environmental actions visible by posting to my social media networks.

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

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.

I will host or participate in a beach, highway, river, or other cleanup effort in my community that follows the CDC’s current guidelines for prevention of disease transfer.