Shelbie Owens

I will make better choices for the environment and my baby's bum by using reusable baby wipes most or all of the time.

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.

Wipes don't break down in sewer systems, but combine with fat to create massive clogs. I will find alternatives to using disposable wipes.

When it's time to buy more, I will replace my beauty products with refillable, sustainable, and/or DIY options.

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 create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.

I will spend at least 120 minute(s) touring (virtually or in person) a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about our local waste and waste recovery streams.

I will give a shout-out on social media to a local company, coworker, friend or family member for their plastic free or green efforts.

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

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

I will swap out my cat's litter for sawdust, mulch, or dirt with baking soda.

I will replace single use diapers with reusable cloth diapers.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

I will switch to a plastic-free toothpaste — whether purchased or DIY'd.

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

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

I will recycle used contact lenses and packaging.

I will switch to a plastic-free deodorant — whether purchased or DIY'd.

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 paint rooms in my home with low/no VOC or natural paints.