Stephanie Kuech

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.

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 use a rubber glove to remove pet hair from clothes, carpets and furniture.

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

I will hang-dry my laundry to use the sun as a natural bleach alternative, or use another natural bleach alternative.

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.

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

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

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.

I will recycle used contact lenses and packaging.

I will give up gum or choose gum made from chicle or other plastic-free gum bases.

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

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.

I will spend at least 30 minute(s) touring (virtually or in person) a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about our local waste and waste recovery streams.

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

I will spend 20 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

I will conduct a waste audit - including recyclables and compost - to understand how much waste I create and where I can reduce the most.

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 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 20 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 5 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

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

I will replace my soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions with sustainable, unpackaged, or refillable options.

When it's time to buy more, I will replace my beauty products with refillable, sustainable, and/or DIY options.

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

I will make the switch to sustainable, reusable period products.