Coby Stephenson

University of Regina

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
110 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

disposable cup

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

30

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Coby's actions

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Recycle Everything I Can

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.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Find Local Recycling Depots

I will spend at least 20 minutes finding out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 1 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

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 0 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

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?
Coby Stephenson 10/02/2019 3:58 PM
I regularly use plastic bags because I tend to forget my reusable ones at home. I do have reusable shopping bags but forget. I've stopped using plastic straws when I was gifted a metal one. I have a reusable coffee mug, but could put in more effort remembering it. I never use the vegetable/fruit bags at the grocery store.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

What have you learned about what is accepted by local haulers for recycling, what you can drop off or ship to certain places, and what is not recyclable in your area? What is the most difficult part of recycling for you?
Coby Stephenson 10/02/2019 3:54 PM
I discovered that my local haulers do not accept #7 containers or freezer packaging (such as frozen fruit bags) which surprised me. I made an assumption that those could be recycled. The most difficulty part of recycling is washing and removal of labels. Typing this makes me feel ridiculous, but it's true. Once again, it'll be a matter of changing my cooking/cleaning habits, or reducing the amount of packaged food that I buy.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

Maybe you've heard how good it is to switch from a single use coffee cup to a reusable one, but it's just hard to make the switch. What stands in your way of making this a habit? By identifying the challenges, you can begin to work through them to have better success in taking this action. Knowing the difference you are making, how does it make you feel?
Coby Stephenson 10/02/2019 3:49 PM
If I am going for coffee will try hard to remember to take my reusable mug. I have no problems carrying a reusable water bottle in my bag, so why not a mug. I also struggle with remembering my reusable grocery bags. I have a had time remembering to put them back in my car after I shop. If I plan better re: shopping I would probably remember bags. This week I haven't bought coffee, instead I've been bringing tea bags to work and using my mug. I makes me feel good when I remember.

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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?
Coby Stephenson 10/02/2019 3:43 PM
I found out that Canadian Tire will accept batteries for Call2Recycle. I also discovered that hazardous waste (such as paint) is collected in Regina at the Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Site is located at 2400 6th Avenue. Enter off 6th Avenue from Broad Street using the westbound lane on Saturday, October 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lastly, old pharmaceuticals can be taken to community drug stores for destruction . The empty pill bottles can have the labels removed and placed in the curbside recycling bins.

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