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Kit Kilroy's avatar

Kit Kilroy

The Plastics

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,106 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    plastic bottle
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    advocacy action
    completed
  • UP TO
    2.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    14
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    11
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    28
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    251
    minutes
    spent learning

Kit'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 1
DAILY ACTION

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 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Swap the Snacks

I will swap out 10 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

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 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Glass Bottle Baby

I will replace 1 plastic bottles with glass or stainless steel alternatives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Natural Fibers

When available, I will purchase clothing and bedding made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Homemade or Refillable Cleaners

I will make my own cleaning products or choose plastic-free, refillable options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Try a New Recipe

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.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Study

Buy Only What I Need

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

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Study

Estimate Your Ecological Footprint

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Keep My Community Clean

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Study

Learn about Plastic Production

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Dig into Bioplastics

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 3 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Plastic History Buff

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Research Local Waste Sites

I will spend 15 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Study
    What did you learn about bioplastic production and disposal? Did anything surprise you? Are bioplastics accepted by your city's waste management?

    Kit Kilroy's avatar
    Kit Kilroy 7/30/2023 10:29 PM
    I learned that bioplastics aren't necessarily better- the best option is to avoid plastic altogether.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Study
    How has learning about the history of single-use plastic shifted your mindset on plastics and their function within society?

    Kit Kilroy's avatar
    Kit Kilroy 7/30/2023 10:16 PM
    It is crazy that the invention of plastic was spurred by billiard balls. While it is good that innovations away from ivory reduced elephant poaching, it is very sad that it has lead to such a destructive material. It is important for us to remember when considering new environmental innovations that we don't lean on alternatives that are equally or more damaging to the environment in the long run.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Study
    What did you learn about how plastic production impacts humans, animals, communities, and the environment? Which of these impacts specifically affects your community?

    Kit Kilroy's avatar
    Kit Kilroy 7/30/2023 9:51 PM
    I learned about how plastic has health impacts for humans. I also learned about the negative impacts for the environment, and something that I've never heard of before, 'cracker plants'. I had no idea that most plastic manufactured goes towards single-use containers, and I also didn't realise that only 9% of plastic gets recycled.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bedroom
    What are the benefits (to people, animals, and the environment) of purchasing clothes made with natural fibers?

    Kit Kilroy's avatar
    Kit Kilroy 7/30/2023 9:35 PM
    Natural fibres break down much more easily than synthetic fibres, plus they don't require plastic materials/by products to be created.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Study
    How might styrofoam be an environmental justice and/or environmental racism issue in your community?

    Kit Kilroy's avatar
    Kit Kilroy 7/30/2023 9:34 PM
    Styrofoam negatively impacts communities who rely on natural ecosystems disproportionately. It is so shameful that we are ruining others water sources for our own convenience!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Study
    What did you learn about your ecological footprint by using the calculator? What did or didn't surprise you? What are some ways you will take action to reduce your footprint?

    Kit Kilroy's avatar
    Kit Kilroy 7/30/2023 8:00 PM
    I was surprised at how big it was! To try and reduce it, I'll make sure that I continue to only buy what I need. I also want to shop more second-hand.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bathroom
    What did you learn by making your own cleaning products? What is the biggest difference in making vs buying?

    Kit Kilroy's avatar
    Kit Kilroy 7/30/2023 7:58 PM
    I realised that most cleaning products are made of some combination of just vinegar/water/bicarb. It seems like bicarb is used in most home-made cleaners.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen
    How can you take your commitment to sustainable living beyond yourself and your family? How can you, personally, work toward broader change?

    Kit Kilroy's avatar
    Kit Kilroy 7/30/2023 4:18 PM
    Instead of focusing only on what I do, I can try and inform others about the ways that capitalism makes us wasteful. So often, marketing tells us we need 'more, more, more' when it's not actually true - and that mindset is so damaging for the environment.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    How does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?

    Kit Kilroy's avatar
    Kit Kilroy 7/27/2023 12:03 AM
    It makes me feel good like I am doing something good not only for myself but also my community!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bathroom
    What have you noticed about the economic and social impact of switching to steel razors? Was there ever really a need for disposable razors, or do you think it was just a way to sell more things?

    Kit Kilroy's avatar
    Kit Kilroy 7/17/2023 11:23 PM
    I did this yesterday and encouraged my partner to as well. I don't think there was a use for disposable razors except for companies to sell more of them! I did notice how many of the metal options also included plastic which seems so unnecessary! Of course, it's more expensive to buy a sustainable material, but I'm hoping it lasts longer.