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Emery Schlichtenmyer's avatar

Emery Schlichtenmyer

Team Stingray

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 750 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    plastic bottle
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    11
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    5.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    2.0
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    donation
    made

Emery's actions

Community

Share My Actions

I will make my environmental actions visible by sharing about them on my social media networks and the Plastic Free Ecochallenge participant feed.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Bedroom

Natural Fibers

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Homemade or Refillable Cleaners

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Go Strawless

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

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Bathroom

Sustainable Suds

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Kitchen

Swap the Snacks

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Study

Say No to Styrofoam

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.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Raise Money For a Nonprofit

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Thrifty Pets

I will find secondhand sources for my pet's water/food dishes, collars or leashes.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Pearly Whites

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Better Gum

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

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Study

Complete a Waste Audit

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bathroom
    What are the economic and personal benefits of switching to bar soap/shampoo/conditioner or refillable bottle options?

    Emery Schlichtenmyer's avatar
    Emery Schlichtenmyer 7/31/2023 11:25 AM
    I started researching new toiletries before this challenge actually started because I wanted to find products better for my health. The companies that produce more environmentally conscious products tend to favor more ethical production processes and healthier ingredients as well. These products are more expensive, but as long as we can afford them the benefits to earth and our bodies are a win-win.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Family + Pets
    How does buying used differ from buying new? How does each purchasing decision make you feel?

    Emery Schlichtenmyer's avatar
    Emery Schlichtenmyer 7/31/2023 11:23 AM
    Buying used in this specific case turned out to be much cheaper than buying new. We found some very nice ceramic dishes the perfect size for cat food for $1 each. New dishes - especially ceramic - would go for $4-5 minimum each. It's also nice knowing you're giving a product a new life away from a trash heap.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bathroom
    Currently most of the packaging for toothpaste is plastic. How can you advocate for more alternatives through your purchasing power and influence in community?

    Emery Schlichtenmyer's avatar
    Emery Schlichtenmyer 7/31/2023 11:21 AM
    I did research on plastic-free toothpaste - mostly toothpaste bites - and realized that reducing plastic use with my toothpaste purchase is not the most financially sustainable choice. Plastic-free and sustainable toiletries and cosmetics in general are more expensive than the less environmentally friendly options, which I think is what deters many people who want to make a difference.

    How do we change this as individuals? I don't know. My first thought is following the trail of subsidies and seeing if there are any changes on federal or state levels that we could vote for.

    Making sustainability more financially in reach for the common person would require more lifestyle changes than just switching products. Buying less "stuff" in general, prioritizing needs and fewer wants, buying things used or secondhand.

  • Emery Schlichtenmyer's avatar
    Emery Schlichtenmyer 7/29/2023 12:06 PM
    With the proceeds from Facebook secondhand sales and today's yard sale we raised $87 for Ocean Conservancy's mission to clean up trash from beaches and waterways!