Danielle McCowan

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

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

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

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

I will use a reusable plate instead of a paper or styrofoam plate when visiting my parents or when necessary at work at lunch time.

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

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

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 5 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

I will donate 1 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.

The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 30 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

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 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.

I will spend 20 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 host or participate in a beach, highway, river, or other cleanup effort in my community.