Mark Ruhnke

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

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

I will host a watch party with friends and/or colleagues to watch and discuss a movie about plastics.

I will swap out 3 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

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

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

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

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.

I will write or sign 2 letters, emails or petitions per day to advocate for plastic-free or planet-friendly policies.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 5 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

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 5 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

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

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.

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 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 spend at least 15 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 replace 3 plastic bottles with glass or stainless steel alternatives.

I will spend 5 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

I will keep 4 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.

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

I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.

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