"I will make conscious, thought out decisions to positively impact the environment. "
POINTS TOTAL
0
TODAY
0
THIS WEEK
603
TOTAL
participant impact
UP TO
17
pounds of paper
have been saved
UP TO
280
minutes
spent exercising
UP TO
1.0
community event
hosted or attended
UP TO
280
minutes
spent outdoors
UP TO
900
minutes
being mindful
UP TO
5.5
pounds of CO2
have been saved
Andrea (Ang)'s actions
Energy
Power Down the Computer
I will power down my computer and monitor when not using it for more than 2 hours, saving up to (1.1) lbs of CO2 each day that I do this.
COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS
Simplicity
Have a Garage Sale
I will have a group garage sale with friends, family, and/or neighbors.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Simplicity
Eat Mindfully
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS
Waste
Go Paperless
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.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
Simplicity
Needs Vs. Wants
I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.
COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS
Waste
Choose Two-Sided Printing
I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper each day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided.
I have learned a lot from this challenge. I am so very glad to have the opportunity to participate! One of the biggest take always for myself and my family is the disconnecting at meal time. It has truly brought us together more. I will continue to use all that I have learned to make positive contributions to the environment. I will also encourage others to be more thoughtful where possible.
Simple things such as turning off the light when leaving a room, using solar powered night lights for my daughter and also switching to energy saving appliances over the years. These are all ways I contribute to reducing my environmental footprint. I also carpool 3/4 days that I am in office. I then telecommute 1 day a week- this helps during the winter months which are fast approaching. (Photo taking last winter)
With the hectic kids schedules this past weekend, it was very challenging to be mindful of what I was eating and to get my walk in-- but we all did it together!
Choosing two-sided printing can be an easy adjustment on your computer settings. How can you help others make this same switch? Can it be encouraged company wide?
In our local area it defaults to print on 2 sides. I have encouraged other hub's to do the same. It is a best practice here at work. I now also use this practice at home. I coach a sport so I also find myself using apps instead of paper as a way to communicate. If I do need to use paper, I use double sided.
Reducing your paper mail can be such a freeing action to take -- by reducing what is coming in, you can reduce what is going into the recycling bin too. How does it make you feel? What is the next step you will take to reduce your waste?
I love that I have seen our need for postage go down. My husband is very old school and usually mails out everything and uses checks. It took some getting used to but we both like being able to save money on not ordering checks and having payments post timely.
It is always fun to have a garage sale. We have a small moving business so any overflow we usually sell - the neighbors love it! We have met many neighbors through our garage sales.
Since I live in the country- walking on the local nature trail gives me the opportunity to visit with neighbors who are also out and walking. I also love walking at work on my breaks. While walking around the building I often work through problems or tough decisions. The change of scenery is very relaxing and empowering.
Creativity is necessary for practicing simplicity as in order to make changes in routine and your current normal, you have to think outside of the norm. Creativity allows us to have an outlet to make positive, constructive changes. Some ideas will work, some will not- but there is power in trying!
