Joey Byrtus

When available, I will purchase clothing and bedding made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.

Because many tea bags and most sleeves and sachets contain plastic, I will switch to using loose leaf tea.

I will keep 5 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.

I will switch to a plastic-free toothpaste — whether purchased or DIY'd.

I will replace 1 plastic bottles with glass or stainless steel alternatives.

I will lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

If possible, I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own travel cup.

I will calculate my ecological footprint, and from the results brainstorm and take action on ways I can reduce my annual footprint.

I will hang-dry my laundry to use the sun as a natural bleach alternative, or use another natural bleach alternative.

The numbers #1-7 on plastics tell us a lot - and can help us be better recyclers. I will learn what these numbers mean and which types of plastics are accepted for recycling in my area.

Throughout its life cycle, polystyrene (styrofoam) can harm people, communities, and the planet. I will refuse styrofoam whenever I can, making sure to kindly let people know why I'm asking for alternative packaging.

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

I will host a watch party with friends and/or colleagues to watch and discuss a movie about plastics.

I will donate 50 zero waste period kits to young people with periods so that they can reduce their waste and the financial burden of menstruation while continuing their education.

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.

The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 10 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

I will conduct a waste audit - including recyclables and compost - to understand how much waste I create and where I can reduce the most.

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 10 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

I will make my environmental actions visible by sharing about them on my social media networks and the Plastic Free Ecochallenge participant feed.

I will source and purchase cosmetics with no plastic packaging.

I will prepare meals at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

I will use wool dryer balls or another plastic-free alternative to dryer sheets to keep my clothes static-free.

I will spend 15 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

A stitch in time saves nine, and mending is better than ending. I will repair my own clothing instead of throwing it in the garbage

I will give a shout-out on social media to a local company, coworker, friend or family member for their plastic free or green efforts.

Plastic production, not just disposal, pollutes communities and harms people. I will learn about the impacts of plastic production on humans, animals, communities, and the environment.