Patrick Driscoll

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.

I will spend 60 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

I will keep 2 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

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.

I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.

I will spend 60 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

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

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 4 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

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

When possible, I will not use disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags.

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 60 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

I will spend 60 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

I will spend at least 60 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.

The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 60 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 60 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

I will only pack reusable cutlery, drinkware and containers in my family's lunches to reduce plastic waste.