Erin Eddins
10/07/2019 2:41 PM
I have so many ideas being collected. I will need a vertical design to make enough room, but it won't take much to provide more than enough for my little family!
Erin Eddins
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 568 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO19plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO190minutesnot spent in front of a screen
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UP TO70minutesspent learning
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UP TO10lightbulbsreplaced
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UP TO190minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO92pounds of CO2have been saved
Erin'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 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.
Waste
Use Reusable Bags
I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.
Community
Express My Support
I will find out who in my state makes decisions that impact the environment and express my support for more environmental actions.
Nature
Spend Time Outside
I will replace 10 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.
Food
Try a New Way to Prep
I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.
Food
Plant an Herb Garden
I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.
Energy
Online Energy Audit
I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
Energy
Switch to Cold Water
I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.
Simplicity
Needs Vs. Wants
I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.
Energy
Turn it off
I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.
Waste
Find Local Recycling Depots
I will spend at least 20 minutes finding out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.
Energy
Choose LED Bulbs
I will replace 10 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
Transportation
Improve a Bus Stop
I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or some other small improvement.
Health
Audit Toxic Cleaning Products in my Home
I will spend 30 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Plant an Herb GardenConsider 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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Try a New Way to PrepCanning and pickling food is a great way to have delicious summer fruits and vegetables all year round. Just make sure to follow the canning and pickling guidelines from the USDA. What are some foods that you would like to preserve and enjoy later in the year?
Erin Eddins 10/07/2019 2:38 PMI have always wanted to try to can my own vegetables. Baking bread is so much fun, I might try more domesticated and classic cooking! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEnergy Choose LED BulbsChanging lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! In what other ways can you exercise your civic duty to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions?
Erin Eddins 10/07/2019 2:27 PMReduce idle time in your vehicle and walk or carpool more. Reduce your waste stream and source your purchases locally to reduce transportation costs for things that you buy. Take your own reusable containers to dinners out instead of using disposable takeaway containers. Find any little way to make a difference! -
Erin Eddins 10/07/2019 2:23 PMTaking a walk now and then really gets you into the areas that need attention. Make a goal to never come back empty-handed from a walk, and you can help to leave your surroundings better than you found them. -
Erin Eddins 10/07/2019 6:27 AMMy daughter found the 'coolest' compostable drinking straws in the soda aisle, and decided that we need to keep them in the car with our reusable ones. We can now use the smaller sized straws when appropriate without contributing too much to the waste in our landfills! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Improve a Bus StopHow can you advocate for transportation systems which minimize environmental impact while also meeting human needs?
Erin Eddins 10/02/2019 2:50 PMI try to set a good example and ride the bus every day. I also try to educate as many people as possible about the benefits to their pockets, safety, and to our environment that our bus system provides. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONSimplicity Needs Vs. WantsHow is creativity necessary for practicing simplicity?
Erin Eddins 10/02/2019 2:43 PMSometimes you have to get a little bit creative with your resources. Making something work for your task is a lot more satisfying and fun, as well as cost efficient, than just buying an expensive custom kit. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEnergy Switch to Cold WaterWhat do you plan to do with the money you save from making more energy efficient choices?
Erin Eddins 10/02/2019 7:46 AMSwitching to cold water didn't make much of an impact on my wash time, but saved me money on heating the water, and my clothes are still clean. Win for me, win for the environment! No negatives! -
Erin Eddins 10/02/2019 7:34 AMI already feel like I am making a difference, especially when I see how many of these options I already do! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Skip the StrawHow could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle?
Erin Eddins 10/01/2019 9:36 AMWhat plastic bags I do have at home are reused as many times as possible, as are boxes and other items. We have a compost bin, and are sad to lose our recycling bin but will be looking for other ways to recycle.