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Rachel Schwehm's avatar

Rachel Schwehm

Plastic Free NOLA

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 446 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    3.0
    pieces of plastic cutlery
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    5.0
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    19
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    10
    minutes
    spent learning

Rachel's actions

Bedroom

Ditch Dryer Sheets

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Switch to Loose Leaf Tea

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

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Bathroom

Say No to "Flushable Wipes"

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

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Family + Pets

Tide Pods

I switched from pods to detergent

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Bedroom

Practice Sustainable Fashion

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Choose Reusable Food Storage

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

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Skip Plastic Bags

When possible, I will not use disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Use a Reusable Mug

If possible, I will avoid sending 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own travel cup.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Plastic Free Lunch Boxes

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

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen
    How can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?

    Rachel Schwehm's avatar
    Rachel Schwehm 7/25/2023 9:36 AM
    I keep reusable grocery bags for grocery trips. It allows me to pack the bags myself.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen
    Beyond reducing waste, there are many benefits to packing zero waste lunches (for kids or yourself!). What other benefits have you noticed from this practice?

    Rachel Schwehm's avatar
    Rachel Schwehm 7/25/2023 9:33 AM
    Packing food in a glass container also help produce and other food last longer.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bathroom
    Even though they are marketed as "flushable," disposable wipes do not disintegrate in water or the sewer system, and actually release microplastics into our waterways. How does it feel to learn this information? What do you want to do about it?

    Rachel Schwehm's avatar
    Rachel Schwehm 7/25/2023 9:31 AM
    No longer use flushable wipe.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen
    Take time to reflect or meditate over your plastic-free cup of tea. Share your thoughts and reflections with us here!

    Rachel Schwehm's avatar
    Rachel Schwehm 7/19/2023 12:56 PM
    I am lucky to have a sister who owns a tea company. She is also plastic free. All I drink is lose leaf tea. It is better than anything on the shelf.

    • Dawn Hollister's avatar
      Dawn Hollister 7/19/2023 1:10 PM
      I have switched to loose leaf tea because I discovered Butterfly Pea Flowers. What is your favorite flavor of tea?
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen
    How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?

    Rachel Schwehm's avatar
    Rachel Schwehm 7/19/2023 12:54 PM
    Not using Ziplocs was hard. I use them for everything. Now I am wrapping in foil or using glass containers. Switching to reusable grocery bags was easy. I keep a bunch in my trunk, so I always have them on hand.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bedroom
    Often, single-use and disposable products don't just create more trash - they also contain toxins that are bad for humans. What are some other single-use items that are harmful to humans?

    Rachel Schwehm's avatar
    Rachel Schwehm 7/11/2023 8:26 AM
    I no longer buy Tupperware containers. I switched to glass ones. They were pricey but if I add all the Tupperware I buy and toss after one use I am saving a lot of money and helping the environment.