Laura Teeter

WashU Plastic Free

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
111 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

7.0

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Laura's actions

Community

Attend Plastic Use in Research and Healthcare (July 20, 12 - 1pm)

Join WashU Sustainability Staff July 20th from 12pm – 1pm to learn more about how single-use plastics are used in research and healthcare and how you can begin to reduce plastic use in your lab or practice.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Cook a Plastic Free Meal

I will prepare meals at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

GO A DAY WITHOUT EATING MEAT

Reducing meat consumption has many benefits; it curtails greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and soil degradation. It will also save an enormous amount of land, water use and will increase biodiversity.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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 1
DAILY ACTION

Participant Feed

Laura Teeter 7/13/2022 8:18 AM
This challenges makes me more aware of the waste specifically in grocery stores and also with regards to our personal household products such as containers for cleaners, wipes, beauty and personal care (ie lotions, razors, body wash/shampoo/conditioners, etc). It has forced me to consider alternatives to reduce our household waste. I have done this by researching and supporting companies that use sustainable/reusable/refillable packaging and/or recycled/biodegradable packaging.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Do an inventory of your kitchen to see how many single-use plastics you've used in the past. What are some resuable alternatives to these commonly used products? What would your impact be if you switched all the single-use products from your inventory to reusable?
Laura Teeter 7/13/2022 8:13 AM
We use a lot of ziploc freezer bags and aluminum foil in this house hold. I have tried some of the reusable ziplocs and the silpat mats, but my husband isn't a fan of them since they are not the easiest to clean, so we are still working on that. As another alternative I have tried to encourage use of our glass storage containers whenever possible in lieu of the ziplocs.

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- Aamna Anwer 7/20/2022 6:19 AM
  Sometimes it's tough to beat a good ole freezer Ziploc! I turn them inside out and wash them and once they're inside-out, they stand up pretty easily to dry out. And then I reuse them!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?
Laura Teeter 7/13/2022 8:10 AM
About a year ago I purchased some sustainable reusable grocery and product bags. I really love the aesthetics of them and they have become almost an accessory when I shop and I look forward to using them. I think searching around for something durable that will last and that you also love even if it mean spending a bit more money will increase the chances of you actually using it.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

How can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?
Laura Teeter 7/13/2022 8:06 AM
I always bring my cotton reusable grocery bags and produce bags for my grocery trips! I keep them in my car so that I never forget them.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

With the added mindfulness of reducing your packaging, what have you noticed about the amount and type of single use plastics used for packaging when you shop in the grocery store?
Laura Teeter 7/13/2022 8:03 AM
So many products come wrapped in plastic! I have tried to avoid these by purchasing unwrapped fruits and vegetables and using my reusable produce bags in lieu of the plastic produce bags at the grocery stores.

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