Aaron Olguin

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.

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.

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 plant an herb or vegetable garden using as little plastic as possible and to save from the plastic used buying herbs and veggies.

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

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

I will paint rooms in my home with low/no VOC or natural paints.

I will spend 10 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

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

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

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

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 10 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 5 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

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

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

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 5 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 5 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

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

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

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

Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 5 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.

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

I will spend 5 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.

Wipes don't break down in sewer systems, but combine with fat to create massive clogs. I will find alternatives to using disposable wipes.

I will spend 5 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.