Jackie Kroeger

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

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.

I will host or participate in a beach, highway, river, or other cleanup effort in my community.

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

I will spend at least 15 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.

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 10 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

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

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

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

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 5 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

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.

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 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 5 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.

I will spend 10 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 raise money to support a nonprofit dedicated to plastic pollution reduction.

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 15 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

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

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.

If traveling, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me.

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 purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.

I will keep 2 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

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

I will swap out 2 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.