2019 People's Ecochallenge

Ecochallenge.org

October 2 - October 23, 2019

Kristen 's points

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
341 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

3.0

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

45

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

34

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

0.7

pounds

food waste prevented
UP TO

1.4

pounds of CO2

have been saved

Kristen 's actions

Food

Weekly Meal Planning

I will reduce food waste and save money by prepping for 2 meal(s) each day, only buying the ingredients I need.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Support Local Pollinators

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 30 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

High Impact Action Track

Research Impact Investing

Simplicity

Using the links provided below, I will research impact investing and deterimine if it is right for me.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Know My health

I will get my Core Four Biometrics tests (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Say No to Plastic Straws

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.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of plants and trees at my home or work.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Find Local Recycling Depots

I will spend at least 15 minutes finding out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Kristen Molnar 10/23/2019 6:23 AM

I didn't get around to mulching my trees but it's been unseasonably cold in my area but I will get to it before it snows! I've really enjoyed this Eco Challenge- I learned some new things (Terracycle!!) and renewed some commitments to behavioral changes to maximizing my impact on our environment. I hope everyone has had the same experience!

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Kristen Molnar 10/22/2019 5:20 AM

Continuing to do meal prepping; doing a better job of saving money by not buying food on the run, reducing the amount of single use packaging, and reducing food waste ending up in the landfill.

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Kristen Molnar 10/18/2019 1:47 PM

Last month (much to my dismay), we were informed by the building manager that the recycling program at this property was going to cease due to contaminated items being thrown in the bins. >.< (I don't know how many time people have to be told; YOU CAN'T RECYCLE OIL COVERED PIZZA BOXES- but I digress). So, I took one of my reusable bags and set it up under my desk so I could start collecting my recyclable waste. I am proud to say, I have filled the bag! I am taking it home today and dumping it in my home recycling bin. I just wanted to remind you that even though it may seem like a small thing to recycle a bottle or an aluminum can, it does add up. Collectively, our actions matter!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

Our ability to recycle certain things ebbs and flows based upon many factors. Luckily there are places that accept uncommon things to recycle or dispose of in a less harmful way. What did you find when looking for places to recycle items that can't be recycled in your curbside bin?
Kristen Molnar 10/17/2019 7:48 AM

I have just one word for you: Terracycle. OMG- I had no clue. As I was getting ready to throw away my dog's kibble bag, I looked on the back and saw the word "Teracycle" and I went to the website, terracycle.com (search "Free Recycling Programs"), and found a bunch of product lines that I use THAT CAN BE SENT IN FOR RECYCLING instead of getting dumped in a landfill via my garbage!!! I found out I can recycle my Wellness Core dry dog food bags, huge Arm & Hammer Baking Soda bags, my Tom's of Maine deodorant sticks, and a bunch more! They even have a Rewards program! I am SO excited about this and CAN'T BELIEVE I've never heard of this before!!!!! Check it out!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

An average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. Does this surprise you? Where would you rather use this money?
Kristen Molnar 10/16/2019 6:11 AM

I have a pot roast in the crock pot as I type- dinner for tonight, lunch for tomorrow, and leftovers will become Beef Barley soup!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health

How do you deal with the physical and emotional stress of the big problems we face? How can you help others cope?
Kristen Molnar 10/16/2019 6:07 AM

Life is stressful; work, family, climate change, politics- the list is endless. I stress eat for sure- not healthy. Practicing mindfulness is very helpful in trying to eat in a more healthy way. I struggle with this but I know it needs to be a priority so I am trying! The only way we, collectively, can make real change is to communicate. We have to be honest with each other about our struggles so we can be supported and learn from one another.

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Kristen Molnar 10/16/2019 6:02 AM

Yearly Biometric screening and Flu Shot- done!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature

Why is it important to take care of pollinators?
Kristen Molnar 10/11/2019 12:48 PM

I wanted to do some landscaping inside my little fenced in area behind my townhouse- I assumed I would have to plant bushes or some other larger type of vegetation and have to wait until spring to do any real plantings. Much to my surprise and delight I did some research on line and found out that I can actually plant bulbs in the fall AND that there are plenty of varieties that are also bee and butterfly friendly! Hopefully, I can get them in the ground before we have sustained frost!

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Kristen Molnar 10/08/2019 5:58 AM

I fell off the tracking wagon the last few days; first cold of the season knocked me out for the last few days. This has made me very aware of how many tissues I use when I'm sick, the number of single use tea bags I have been using, and the little metal foil packets that my cold medicine comes in. I need to look into using more reusable and sustainable items even when I'm sick.

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- Priya Balasubramanian 10/08/2019 8:08 AM
  
  I recently learned about this tea bags issue on how it has micro plastics that does not degrade and also drops in our tea :( Seriously I want to find more good options for this. nowadays I get loose green tea and other varieties and boil it and filter it.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle?
Kristen Molnar 10/08/2019 5:55 AM

I think this requires mindfulness- we live in a rushed world and sometimes it's easier to just accept what people hand you. I went through the drive thru for dinner on Friday last week and I refused the straw that was offered to me. I shocked the person at the window when I told them I didn't want the straw. We just need to remind ourselves that we need to incorporate these practices into our daily routines, EVERY DAY, not just once a year. Remember the motto: Earth Day, Every Day. I have to remind myself of that every day. No matter what the circumstances, no matter how challenging. If it's important, it should be a priority.

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