Ray Pogwist

When I need to replace my dish soap, I will switch to a bar or refillable option.

I will give up gum or choose gum made from chicle or other plastic-free gum bases.

To purchase toothbrushes made of non plastic

I will spend 10 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 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 replace 2 plastic bottles with glass or stainless steel alternatives.

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

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 10 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 make my own cleaning products or choose plastic-free, refillable options.

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

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

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

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

I will swap out my single use plastic bags for a pooper-scooper.

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 use laundry detergent that is packaged in glass or aluminum, or an alternative like soap nuts.

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

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.

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 spend at least 5 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 1 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 5 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.