

Ian Shelley
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 471 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO13plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO12pieces of plastic cutlerynot sent to the landfill
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UP TO13disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO53plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO30minutesspent learning
Ian's actions
Kitchen
Glass Bottle Baby
I will replace 1 plastic bottles with glass or stainless steel alternatives.
Kitchen
Plant a Garden
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.
Kitchen
Try a New Recipe
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.
Kitchen
Use a Reusable Mug
If possible, I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own travel cup.
Kitchen
Fill a Water Bottle
I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.
Kitchen
Swap the Snacks
I will swap out 10 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.
Kitchen
Plastic Free Lunch Boxes
I will only pack reusable cutlery, drinkware and containers in my family's lunches to reduce plastic waste.
Kitchen
Minimize Packaging
I will purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.
Kitchen
Skip Plastic Bags
When possible, I will not use disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags.
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).
Participant Feed
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REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchenUsing the links provided, investigate the bottling practices of water corporations. There have been many cases where the water rights of the local people have been violated or even completely disregarded when a corporation decides to bottle water from a particular water source. How can you advocate for those who have been harmed by this bottling process?
Ian Shelley 7/31/2023 12:57 PMResearching the sources of companies' bottled water to make sure it comes from a source that is not exploiting local communities - it wasn't something I'd given much thought to before hearing stories in the news -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchenWith the added mindfulness of reducing your packaging, what have you noticed about the amount and type of single use plastics used for packaging when you shop in the grocery store?
Ian Shelley 7/28/2023 7:14 AMSome food items have proven difficult to find without plastic packaging, or they're much cheaper with plastic bags than without. To compensate, we try to buy plastic-wrapped items in bulk to minimize the amount of packaging used per purchase. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchenBeyond reducing waste, there are many benefits to packing zero waste lunches (for kids or yourself!). What other benefits have you noticed from this practice?
Ian Shelley 7/28/2023 7:12 AMLess expensive - you buy the tupperware or lunch box once, and then never need replacements, as opposed to buying sandwich bags or paper bags over and over again -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchenSince the restrictions that COVID-19 has required of our society, trying to use your own cup might present new barriers, as well as new opportunities for creative problem solving. How were you able to achieve success on this action? How can you make it a long-term habit?
Ian Shelley 7/28/2023 7:11 AMWhen ordering takeout, I try to remember to request the minimal amount of additional materials, such as asking for no cutlery or napkins if I don't need them. I have tried in the past to bring my own tupperware, but restaurants don't allow it, unfortunately. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchenHow do you feel about being more involved in the food preparation process? Joyful, overwhelmed, engaged, empowered? What are the benefits of choosing to process or produce your own food instead of buying it pre-processed?
Ian Shelley 7/14/2023 11:50 AMSo far I've felt like there's a limit in how much cooking I can do that's completely packaging free - really just involving vegetables, since almost everything else has some packaging. I'm trying to steer more towards packaged foods that come in cardboard boxes or metal cans that can be recycled rather than plastic -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchenHow does swapping out prepackaged snacks for fresh fruit or veggies benefit your family?
Ian Shelley 7/14/2023 11:48 AMBesides reducing plastic way, not buying pre-packaged fruit, such as bags of apples, makes it easier to check the quality of the produce before taking it home - you're less likely to find a rotten apple than you would be if you just grabbed a bag. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchenHow can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?
Ian Shelley 7/14/2023 11:47 AMI have several Tupperwares of various sizes and shapes so that I'll always have reusable options to replace plastic bags for packing my lunch or snacks. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchenHow difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?
Ian Shelley 7/04/2023 8:05 AMI've found it helps to always keep one or two reusable bags in the back of the car, just in case there are any unplanned stops to the store -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchenHow can you take your commitment to sustainable living beyond yourself and your family? How can you, personally, work toward broader change?
Ian Shelley 7/03/2023 7:11 AMI've used the same refillable water bottle for about 20 years now, which has taken the place of an unknowable number of cups or plastic bottles -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchenBesides having access to fresh herbs and vegetables, what benefits will you see from growing your own garden?
Ian Shelley 7/03/2023 7:10 AMStarting a small garden in my backyard. When I do buy herbs or spices, I either buy them loose (for the fresh herbs) or in glass jars (for spices and dried herbs)