Mandi Townzen

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 20 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

Refuse to have plastic drink at lunch

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 10 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

I will replace my pet's shampoo with an eco-friendly shampoo bar or refillable shampoo option.

Use these bags to replace plastic fruit bags in store

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

Utilize bamboo instead of plastic brush

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

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

Make sure to give my kids toys a second life and donate and acquire toys the same way when possible

I will only buy cloth, wooden or plant-based natural rubber toys. Or make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!

While in the water a lot this summer I'm having my daughter use reusable swim diapers as opposed to disposable.

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 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.

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 2 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

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

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

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

Avoid using small plastic k cups for daily coffee.

See if I can get any food I use regularly local without plastic

I will make the switch to sustainable, reusable period products.

Almost all my child's clothes are second hand clothes

Pick up trash I find on daily walk with dog and recycle when necessary

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

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

I will swap out my single use plastic bags for a pooper-scooper.

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

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.

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