Carrie Ireland

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.

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

I will use a microfiber catcher in my laundry, or install a microfiber filter for my washing machine.

I will talk to the owner or manager of a restaurant I frequent to request that they reduce their use of single-use and disposable plastics.

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

I will try new recipe(s) or food preparation method(s) each day, such as canning, pickling, making yogurt, or baking granola bars or bread.

I will swap out 5 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

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

I will pick up 2 piece(s) of litter each day.

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

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.

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

The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 30 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

I will raise money to support a nonprofit dedicated to plastic pollution reduction.

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

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 1 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

I will donate 1 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 lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.

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

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.