Ecochallenge.org

2019 People's Ecochallenge

October 2 - October 23, 2019

Bree Abbott

HIG Manual Team Rocks

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
468 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

45

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

45

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

30

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

tree

planted
UP TO

10

locally sourced meals

consumed
UP TO

318

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

58

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

45

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill

Bree's actions

Waste

Skip the Straw

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 3 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Stay on the Ground

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Work from Home

I will work from home 5 day(s) to avoid my commute's carbon output.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 3 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

De-Clutter My Home

I will de-clutter, clean, and donate or recycle unneeded items in my home.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of plants and trees at my home or work.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Plant an Herb Garden

I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

High Impact Action Track

Plant Trees

Nature

I will plant 1 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Buy From a Farmers Market

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Support Pollution Reduction

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.

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
Waste Use Reusable Bags

What do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items but don't have a reusable one with you? Carry things out in your hands? In a cart? Accept a disposable one? If you find yourself in this position often, what system could you put in place to try to create a successful habit of not using plastic bags?

Bree Abbott 10/10/2019 12:42 PM

I do accept the disposable one in the event that I do not have my reusable one with me. However, to avoid being in that situation, I keep my reusable bag in my purse with my wallet.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Skip the Straw

How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle?

Bree Abbott 10/10/2019 12:33 PM

Since I became a remote worker, I have eliminated disposable coffee cups by using a reusable travel mug. Also, I no longer use bottled beverages. I have a reusable water bottle that I refill from my filtered tap. We always recycle our bottles/cans and cardboard.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity De-Clutter My Home

How can you prevent yourself from accumulating more things in the future?

Bree Abbott 10/10/2019 12:31 PM

I address all mail the moment I receive it. All trash is immediately put in a recycling bin and important items such as bills are filed for our records as soon as they are paid. I shop with the need/want concept in mind. If it's not necessary, I try to forgo buying it.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
High Impact Action Track Plant Trees

How is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?

Bree Abbott 10/10/2019 12:29 PM

We planted a tree to commemorate our anniversary this year. Besides the physical health benefits of actually planting the tree, it is good for our spiritual health. The tree will weather many storms as will we during our marriage.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Buy From a Farmers Market

What is one food choice that you make, or could make, that would do more good and less harm?

Bree Abbott 10/10/2019 12:25 PM

One food choice that I actively make each year is to grow and preserve my own food.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Plant an Herb Garden

Consider the ways you can garden: a plot of land? a patio container? hanging basket? windowsill gardens? What would work best for your living situation and lifestyle?

Bree Abbott 10/09/2019 11:02 AM

What works best for me is the pyramid garden we built in the flower garden by our front door. I also maintain a few herbs indoor during the winter months. We almost always have fresh basil, chives, and dill on hand

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Work from Home

It takes the average worker in the United States 26 minutes to travel to work. One way to fix long commutes would be to make cities more affordable. An even simpler option: promote the use of telework. Are you in an industry that would allow you to work from home? What are some obstacles you might find yourself facing while working from home?

Bree Abbott 10/09/2019 9:34 AM

I am part of an industry that allows me to work from home. The biggest challenge I face while working from home is staying "visible" to those in the office as well as advancement of my career. Recently, the remote worker geared website has started to list career opportunities that are remote to aid with career planning

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use a Reusable Water Bottle

While water bottles are needed for health and safety in certain places, we can do more to reduce the unnecessary use of them. What are the barriers to you using reusable bottles and tap water instead of bottled water? How could you make this a permanent habit?

Bree Abbott 10/09/2019 9:29 AM

There are no barriers. I have found this to be an easy challenge to accomplish since I work from home and have filters on or water system that allow me to drink our tap water instead of bottled water

Read More