Katarina Waters

I will replace 1 plastic bottles with glass or stainless steel alternatives.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

I will raise money to support a nonprofit dedicated to plastic pollution reduction.

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

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 at least 10 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 only buy cloth, wooden or plant-based natural rubber toys. Or make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!

I will spend 15 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

Join your local buy nothing group, swap group, or other local trade based economy group. Don't have one? Make one with friends or family.

When eating out, bring your own container for left overs. At the end of the meal, instead of asking for a to-go container that is probably trash, grab for your reusable one! For our family, we store one in our backpack that we take with us when we go out.

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

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 15 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

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

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

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

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 1 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

I will use wool dryer balls or another plastic-free alternative to dryer sheets to keep my clothes static-free.

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.

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

I will donate 1 zero waste period kits to young people with periods so that they can reduce their waste and the financial burden of menstruation while continuing their education.

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

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

I will give up gum or choose gum made from chicle or other plastic-free gum bases.

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

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

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.

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

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