Becki Mallett

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

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

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

Because many tea bags and most sleeves and sachets contain plastic, I will switch to using loose leaf tea.

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

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

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

I will spend 15 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 20 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.

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

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

I will replace my pet's shampoo with an eco-friendly shampoo bar or refillable shampoo option.

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

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

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

The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 15 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

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

I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.

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

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

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

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

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.

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 13 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

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

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