William Matos

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 3.4lbs (1.5kg) a month or 41lbs (18.6kg) a year by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

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

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

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will research and recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community, making sure to not contaminate recyclables with non-recyclables.

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.

I will adopt a diet free of refined sugars, which eliminates sweetened beverages, candy, and processed foods.

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

I will visit my nearest farm to find out who produces my food, and will learn about the quality of life of those who produce my food in other regions of the world to make better choices when I shop.

Access to affordable, nutritious food is a food justice issue. I will advocate for local and/or organic food options at work, on campus and/or in the spaces I frequent.

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.

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.

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

I will replace 15 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

Whether it's by donating or volunteering, I will research the benefits of low-income solar and find out how I can support low-income solar initiatives in my area.