Ryan Huffman

National Aquarium

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
646 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

33

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

1.0

disposable cup

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

21

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

80

minutes

spent learning

Ryan's actions

Study

Say No to Styrofoam

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.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Fill a Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Go Strawless

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 1 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Study

Numbers Everywhere

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Use a Reusable Mug

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.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Study

Follow the Chasing Arrows

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Choose Reusable Food Storage

I will only use reusable containers instead of single-use plastic storage items (such as plastic wrap, single-use sandwich bags).

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 1 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Ryan Huffman 7/31/2023 7:58 AM
One of the recycling articles I read this month said something along the lines of "we're all doing our best" and that one was important to me. I started the month off feeling discouraged looking at the list of suggested actions and lamenting my lack of resources (financial or otherwise) to achieve these goals. I hear horror stories of loads of recycling being sent straight to the dump. I know that my personal impact is very small and perhaps "meaningless" by some people's standards. I know people who let some or all of those things stop them from making any effort and sometimes I consider doing the same but at the end of the day, at the end of the month, at the end of the year, I know that I've tried my best and done what I could do within my means. This year's challenge has reinvigorated my desire to be mindful of and minimize my impact on the planet. I need to remember that this is not a goal to be achieved but a mindset to carry with me day to day. I will not be perfect but I will do my best. Every single person who participated in this challenge has my respect and I look forward to contributing and seeing an even bigger impact next year!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Kitchen

Since the restrictions that COVID-19 has required of our society, trying to use your own cup might present new barriers, as well as new opportunities for creative problem solving. How were you able to achieve success on this action? How can you make it a long-term habit?
Ryan Huffman 7/31/2023 7:34 AM
I think the biggest way to make reusable mugs/cups a long term habit would be to make sure I have one in my car at all times. Most of the time, if I stop for a coffee or a fountain drink, it's unplanned and many times I don't have one with me. If I have a cup and/or mug in my car, I don't have to remember to bring one more thing when I walk out the door.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Study

How might styrofoam be an environmental justice and/or environmental racism issue in your community?
Ryan Huffman 7/27/2023 1:01 PM
It was good to know what the numbers mean because my local recycling company claims to accept all plastics numbered 1 through 7 but then explicitly state they do not accept PVC (#3) or Styrofoam (#6). Knowing the numbers and what they mean allow me to be more mindful of my recycling efforts, even in the face of conflicting information from the company that collects my recycling.

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- Ryan Huffman 7/31/2023 7:37 AM
  I feel like this either isn't the question I was asked to answer or I did not understand the assignment...
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Kitchen

How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?
Ryan Huffman 7/18/2023 12:11 PM
This is honestly pretty easy in most cases. If I'm just going into a store for a few items, I don't get a cart or basket and if I can carry the items to the register in my hands, I can walk out of the store with them without wasting a plastic bag. I keep reusable shopping bags in my car for cases where I might need a bag.

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Ryan Huffman 7/18/2023 9:40 AM
The cost (both financially and in terms of additional time I do not always have) to switch to greener/plastic free alternative products is sometimes discouraging.

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