Kelsey Field

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 at least 30 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.

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.

I will purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.

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

I will swap out my single use plastic bags for a pooper-scooper.

I will spend 15 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 30 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.

I will teach my little ones about microplastics while we do a craft project together using glitter alternatives.

I will paint rooms in my home with low/no VOC or natural paints.

I will advocate for alternatives to single use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, or work.

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.

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 30 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 20 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

I will spend 30 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 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.

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 pick up 3 piece(s) of litter each day.

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

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

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

The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 20 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

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