

Mary Ellsworth
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 625 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO32pieces of plastic cutlerynot sent to the landfill
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UP TO15pieces of litterpicked up
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UP TO32plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
Mary's actions
Community
Keep My Community Clean
I will pick up 1 piece(s) of litter each day.
Bedroom
Ditch Dryer Sheets
I will use wool dryer balls or another plastic-free alternative to dryer sheets to keep my clothes static-free.
Bedroom
Eco Detergent
I will use laundry detergent that is packaged in glass or aluminum, or an alternative like soap nuts.
Kitchen
Skip Plastic Bags
When possible, I will not use disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags.
Study
Complete a Waste Audit
I will conduct a waste audit - including recyclables and compost - to understand how much waste I create and where I can reduce the most.
Study
Buy Only What I Need
I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.
Kitchen
Plastic Free Lunch Boxes
I will only pack reusable cutlery, drinkware and containers in my family's lunches to reduce plastic waste.
Kitchen
Use Reusable Utensils
I will keep 2 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.
Community
Support a Sharing Economy
I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.
Participant Feed
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REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunityHow does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?
Mary Ellsworth 7/23/2023 11:01 AMWhen walking in my neighborhood I am always a little bummed when I see trash on the ground. Hopefully by picking up litter as I walk I am providing a better experience for the next person or animal enjoying the outdoors. -
Mary Ellsworth 7/22/2023 11:05 AM-
Connie Peterson 7/22/2023 12:54 PM
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REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunityWhat are the benefits of a sharing economy? How could a sharing economy change the dynamics you have with friends, family and/or neighbors?
Mary Ellsworth 7/19/2023 11:54 AMAs a new mom, my friends and family have been so generous sharing their secondhand baby items. The items I have received have helped me as I navigate my new day to day and also served as a tangible representation of my communities support.-
Joanna Caputa 7/29/2023 7:49 PMI belong to a Buy Nothing group in my area and I have found that moms of young children are some of the most generous gifters when it comes to sharing with other moms.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchenBeyond reducing waste, there are many benefits to packing zero waste lunches (for kids or yourself!). What other benefits have you noticed from this practice?
Mary Ellsworth 7/19/2023 10:54 AMDisposable utensils are convenient but often provide a worse user experience than regular metal silverware. The thin plastic is much more likely to break during use. Bringing a set of utensils in your bag also allows you eat a surprise snack on the go if the opportunity presents itself. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchenHow difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?
Mary Ellsworth 7/17/2023 7:11 AMUsing reusable bags is one of the more accessible plastic free habits, but it still takes effort to remember to bring them each time you shop. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONStudyAs you have reduced your spending, what have you noticed about your 'health and safety' purchasing habits? How might this change your longer term purchasing decisions?
Mary Ellsworth 7/15/2023 11:41 AMWhen possible purchasing items secondhand is a great way to reduce your impact. Secondhand furniture often has a lot of life left and can be found affordably online or in consignment stores. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBedroomOften, single-use and disposable products don't just create more trash - they also contain toxins that are bad for humans. What are some other single-use items that are harmful to humans?
Mary Ellsworth 7/14/2023 5:57 AMSingle-use disposable products are an inefficient use of resources so it is best to avoid them whenever possible. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBedroomWas this an easy or difficult swap for you to make? Did you have any concerns before making the swap?
Mary Ellsworth 7/14/2023 5:52 AMMaking the swap to a more eco friendly dish detergent is much easier than it was several years ago as there are many more alternative products on the market. Dropps was having a 25% off sale so I stocked up since we were running low on dishwasher pods. Looking for sales or buying in bulk can reduce costs of swapping to more sustainable cleaning products. -
Mary Ellsworth 7/13/2023 10:12 AM"Keep My Community Clean" is my favorite plastic free daily challenge. Picking up litter each day is a small concrete act which keeps trash out of our local waterways and reminds me of my ongoing commitment to an eco-friendly lifestyle. -
Mary Ellsworth 7/11/2023 5:58 AMHappy Plastic Free July!!