Arpita Chowdhury

I will start a recycling program at my workplace or school. If a recycling program exists, I will advocate for ways to improve and expand it.

Historically, marginalized and low-income communities live closer to landfills, contributing to a multitude of health problems. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate.

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

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet every day.

I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.

I will install a greywater catchment system in my home.

An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When they ingest plastic, marine life has a 50% mortality rate. By asking for no straw when placing a drink order, I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.

I will install alternative energy systems, such as solar electric systems or solar water heaters.

I will replace my lawn with a drought-tolerant landscape and save the water, money, and time I used to spend cutting the grass.

I will replace inefficient heating and cooling units.

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.

I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.