Laura Newman

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

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 3 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.

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

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 not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I will raise money to support a nonprofit dedicated to plastic pollution reduction.

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

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

If traveling, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me.

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

I will spend 30 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

I will replace 2 plastic bottles with glass or stainless steel alternatives.

I will host a watch party with friends and/or colleagues to watch and discuss a movie about plastics.

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

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.

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

I will only use reusable containers instead of single-use plastic storage items (such as plastic wrap, single-use sandwich bags).

I will donate 3 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.

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 20 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

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

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

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