Laurieann Phalen

I will spend at least 60 minutes finding out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.

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 spend 120 minutes learning about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.

I will spend 120 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.

I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper each day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided.

I will keep 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 120 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

I will replace 3 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

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 3 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

I will avoid sending 3 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

I will spend 120 minutes researching environmental justice concerns in my region, their causes, and local initiatives to address these concerns.