Ecochallenge.org

2019 People's Ecochallenge

October 2 - October 23, 2019

Kathy Balogh

BES Water Pollution Control Lab

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
317 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

3.0

pounds of paper

have been saved
UP TO

16

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

16

pounds

waste composted
UP TO

16

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill

Kathy's actions

Waste

Advocate For More Food Packaging Options

I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Choose Two-Sided Printing

I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper each day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Compost Food Waste

I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill each day by composting my food or learning how to.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

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?
Kathy Balogh 10/08/2019 2:56 PM
I keep at least 3 reusable grocery bags in the car; however, it took time and repeated missteps to change my behavior. If I realized I forgot my bags while already in the store or even at even the checkout line, I forced myself to walk back out to my car to get the bags. Doing this several times made it easier for me to remember to bring the bags from the car the next time until it became a habit. After I unload my groceries, I put the bags next to my car keys so I won't forget to put the bags back in the car.

If I am with someone else and we don't have a bag in the car, I carry the groceries in my hand or take the shopping cart to the car and unload the items in the trunk.

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