Ellon Ruschell

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 finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

I will only use reusable containers instead of single-use plastic storage items (such as plastic wrap, single-use sandwich bags).

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

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

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

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

I will conduct a waste audit - including recyclables and compost - to understand how much waste I create and where I can reduce the most.

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

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

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.