Nancy Locquet Absillis

I will only buy cloth, wooden or plant-based natural rubber toys. Or make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!

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

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

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

I will prepare my own pet treats to avoid plastic packaging.

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.

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

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 2 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

I will find secondhand sources for my pet's water/food dishes, collars or leashes.

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

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.

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.

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 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 lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.

I will only pack reusable cutlery, drinkware and containers in my family's lunches to reduce plastic waste.

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.

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

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

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

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

I will switch to a plastic-free deodorant — whether purchased or DIY'd.

I will spend 20 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

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

I will use laundry detergent that is packaged in glass or aluminum, or an alternative like soap nuts.

I will pick up 5 piece(s) of litter each day.