Theresa LeClaire is participating in the 2019 People's Ecochallenge!

Theresa's points

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
427 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

54

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

54

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

21

pounds

waste composted
UP TO

54

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Theresa'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 -1
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Waste

Reduce Single-Use Disposables

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.

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

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

Bringing your own bags and containers to the grocery store, and even to restaurants for leftovers, are a couple of ways to reduce your waste. What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?
Theresa LeClaire 10/21/2019 4:42 AM

One way I've reduced single use items is being sure to food prep for the week on Sunday. This allows me to buy items in larger packs reducing the need for single serve items. This also ensures I won't be buying lunch and allows me the ability to use glass and other re-usable materials instead.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

New to composting? Be sure to check out the action resource links to learn tips and more about it. As you transition from throwing food away to composting, what do you notice about how much you are tossing? How will you use your compost once it is ready?
Theresa LeClaire 10/16/2019 4:16 PM

We have implemented compost, recycling and trash bins in the office which makes it so much easier to do this at work (already do this at home). I greatly appreciate our office also ordering compostable silverware, cups, bowls etc. to help reduce need of Styrofoam and other materials.

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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?
Theresa LeClaire 10/09/2019 5:37 AM

I have found bags that fold up small enough that I can clip them to my key chain or put them in a backpack or purse. This way I have no excuse not to use them. If I am in a place that has boxes for re-use, I will take one of those and recycle it afterwards as well. In the off-chance I do forget a bag or there is not a box for me to use, I will use the cart or basket to transport the items to my vehicle. Now that our state has a charge for plastic bags, it does make it easier to remember to bring reusable bags everywhere and not just to the grocery store.

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