Rowena Sy

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

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

I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

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

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

I will only buy cloth, wooden or plant-based natural rubber toys. Or make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!

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.

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 30 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 15 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

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

I will prepare meals at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

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

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.

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

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

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

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 15 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

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.

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 2 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

I will use a microfiber catcher in my laundry, or install a microfiber filter for my washing machine.

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