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Shawna Stonum's avatar

Shawna Stonum

Seattle Children's - Green Team

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 885 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    waste audit
    conducted
  • UP TO
    39
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    conversation
    with a person
  • UP TO
    125
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    22
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    26
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill

Shawna's actions

Pets

DIY Cat Litter

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Estimate My Plastic Consumption

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Fill a Water Bottle

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

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Lifestyle

Complete a Waste Audit

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Pets

Rubber Glove Pet Hair Removal

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

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusables at Work

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

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Learn about Plastic Production

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.

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 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Dig into Bioplastics

I will spend at least 60 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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
    Pets
    Other species can teach us important lessons about ourselves and life in general. What has your cat taught you?

    Shawna Stonum's avatar
    Shawna Stonum 7/31/2022 2:08 PM
    I have several cats living with me. Each one with his or her personality. My Mom's cat came to me underweight and anxious. Patience and time helped us learn to trust one another. Since then, she has calmed around me and I can interact with her.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Lifestyle
    What did you learn about the waste you create? Where can you reduce the most?

    Shawna Stonum's avatar
    Shawna Stonum 7/31/2022 2:05 PM
    My kitchen is still the biggest generator of trash. Most of it is recycled. Attempting to purchase items that are not packaged in the heavy plastic and bought mesh bags for produce. This means changing eating habits too. There's room for reduction though... as I use up products I have, I will be replacing with more ecofriendly options. Might consider the shampoo/conditioner bars... 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    What did you learn about bioplastic production and disposal? Did anything surprise you? Are bioplastics accepted by your city's waste management?

    Shawna Stonum's avatar
    Shawna Stonum 7/25/2022 6:55 AM
    I am disappointed that the doggie bags I use for pet waste are not as eco-friendly as I thought they were. I don't use disposable dishes often, but will consider what they are made of in the future and just how compostable they really are.
    We recycle most things in Federal Way. There are several options for electronics, plastic film types and bioplastics just go with the rest of our recycling.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?

    Shawna Stonum's avatar
    Shawna Stonum 7/23/2022 8:51 AM
    I have been using reusable grocery bags for years. The hardest part now is losing the produce bags... I bought some reusable mesh ones to hopefully help.
  • 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?

    Shawna Stonum's avatar
    Shawna Stonum 7/14/2022 8:23 AM
    My best option is to make food at home, and avoid the take out or pre-made options that typically come in plastic or disposable containers. For family get togethers, I bring food in containers I can take home and sometimes provide washable/reusable containers for my family for leftovers if appropriate. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    What did you learn about how plastic production impacts humans, animals, communities, and the environment? Which of these impacts specifically affects your community?

    Shawna Stonum's avatar
    Shawna Stonum 7/14/2022 8:15 AM
    All of the plastics that I have been exposed to in my lifetime may be the cause of many of my health problems specifically chronic inflammation with no known "cause." I am one of many who have seen doctors, been tested and told that everything is "normal" for many years; yet still have undiagnosed inflammatory issues. Is it food, is it plastic, or is it both? Who knows?
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Pets
    We know you want to - tell us about why your pet is so awesome!

    Shawna Stonum's avatar
    Shawna Stonum 7/08/2022 8:29 AM
    I have several - 4 cats and a dog. I use biodegradable wood pellets for cat litter and a roll thing with rubber and some other material to pick up pet hair, along with a vacuum cleaner. I think our dog sheds more than all 4 cats combined! 
    Our pets are the sweetest. That's what makes them awesome!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    What did you find out about your plastic consumption by using the calculator? What did or didn't surprise you?

    Shawna Stonum's avatar
    Shawna Stonum 7/08/2022 8:26 AM
    I am not surprised by my plastic usage stats in the US or UK, but the reference to India surprises me. I am consciously trying to reduce the plastic in home usage, and looks for re-usable options. I have many coffee containers that are being used for other purposes. Now I buy coffee beans in bags and grind them myself.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    How can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?

    Shawna Stonum's avatar
    Shawna Stonum 7/04/2022 10:44 AM
    I try to consciously buy food and store food in sustainable, washable containers, and have invested in re-usable zipper bags for freezer use.
  • 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?

    Shawna Stonum's avatar
    Shawna Stonum 7/04/2022 10:42 AM
    I make coffee at home most of the time, and wash my mugs. The ones I use at home hold in the heat better than the disposable ones anyway.