Amelia McCarty

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

I will swap out 1 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

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

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

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

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

If traveling, I will bring my own snacks and meals in my own containers to avoid the waste of take-out containers.

I will replace plastic garbage bags with paper bags made from recycled paper

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

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

Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 10 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.

I will spend 15 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

I will write or sign 1 letters, emails or petitions per day to advocate for plastic-free or planet-friendly policies.

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

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

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 spend at least 10 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.

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

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.

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 swap out my cat's litter for sawdust, mulch, or dirt with baking soda.

I will pick up 2 piece(s) of litter each day.

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

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 donate 10 zero waste period kits to young people with periods so that they can reduce their waste and the financial burden of menstruation while continuing their education.

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.

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.

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.