Sara Valentine

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

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

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

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

I will spend 20 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

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

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

I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.

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

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

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.

I will swap out 10 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

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

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

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

If traveling, I will bring my own snacks and meals in my own containers to avoid the waste of take-out containers.

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

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

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

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

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

I will calculate my ecological footprint, and from the results brainstorm and take action on ways I can reduce my annual footprint.

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

The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 20 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

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

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.