REBECCA VAUGHAN
7/31/2023 9:15 PM
It confirms my suspicion that we're all "sheep"
July 1 - July 31, 2023
REBECCA VAUGHAN
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,096 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO15conversationswith people
-
UP TO20pieces of litterpicked up
-
UP TO31plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
-
UP TO229minutesspent learning
REBECCA's actions
Bathroom
Travel Toiletries
If traveling, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me.
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.
Study
Estimate Your Ecological Footprint
I will calculate my ecological footprint, and from the results brainstorm and take action on ways I can reduce my annual footprint.
Community
Keep My Community Clean
I will pick up 3 piece(s) of litter each day.
Kitchen
Swap the Snacks
I will swap out 1 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or 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.
Study
Follow the Chasing Arrows
The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 60 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.
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).
Community
Become a Recycling Pro
Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 5 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.
Study
Plastic History Buff
Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 60 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.
Study
Numbers Everywhere
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.
Participant Feed
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONStudyHow has learning about the history of single-use plastic shifted your mindset on plastics and their function within society?
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONStudyWere you surprised by what the different plastic identification numbers mean? How can this information help you become a better recycler?
REBECCA VAUGHAN 7/31/2023 9:14 PMI learned a lot about wishcycling, which I was surprised that I practiced. My recycle bin has far fewer things in it now, but I have much less contamination of my load -
REBECCA VAUGHAN 7/31/2023 9:02 PMI was pretty successful in achieving my goals, but I feel like I barely made a dent in the global problem -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBathroomWhat is the benefit of using bar soaps or refilling your travel sized containers? Is this an action you think you will keep in your life?
REBECCA VAUGHAN 7/31/2023 9:01 PMI rarely travel by plane but in order to get through TSA you need travel sized containers anyway. -
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?
REBECCA VAUGHAN 7/31/2023 8:59 PMTwo years ago I started canning and pickling. I feel very connected to my ancestors, to the earth and to past times. I am able to give some of my goods as gifts. I don't get enough to make large quantities, but I make enough pizza sauce for a special Christmas Tree decorating party, enough applesauce for latkes, enough Black Forest Cherry Jam for Oktoberfest...This year I expanded my garden. I should have leeks when I need them in early March. I have a lot of banana peppers, hoping for a couple of acorn squashes for Thanksgiving, a pumpkin for Halloween. But something keeps eating my tomatoes without a trace just as they are ready to pick. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchenHow does swapping out prepackaged snacks for fresh fruit or veggies benefit your family?
REBECCA VAUGHAN 7/31/2023 8:53 PMUnprocessed foods tend to be more healthy (lower in calories, higher in fiber and nutrients. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchenHow can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?
-
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunityHow does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?
REBECCA VAUGHAN 7/31/2023 8:50 PMOn the first day of the challenge, I was driving on Paseo del Norte at rush hour. Due to the traffic, I could not avoid running over a very large (refrigerator sized) plastic bag in my lane. I soon noticed the plastic ballooning up in my rear window, so I knew it must be stuck to something. At a light, the passenger in the vehicle behind me got out and tried to remove it but no luck. When I got where I was going I found it was twisted around my rear axle. It took me some time to free it but I did. I took it home and threw it away. Someone in my community littered, someone tried to help and I eventually put it in my trash -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunityHave you noticed a difference in how your community, friends, and family members use plastics since you've shared your own actions?
REBECCA VAUGHAN 7/22/2023 6:58 PMI see plastic everywhere. I just don't see how reducing the plastic use in our family can possibly make a significant difference. There must be more research and development of recycling, reclamation, alternative manufacturing, shipping... -
REFLECTION QUESTIONStudyRecycling right requires both systemic change and personal and community awareness. How can you expand what you've learned about the chasing arrows symbol to encourage broader changes in your community?
REBECCA VAUGHAN 7/06/2023 9:35 PMI ran out of fabric softener today (Kirtland brand). I noticed arrows on the container but no number. I looked closer. Above the arrows was a notice - "how to recycle this product" (remove tap, clean out, recycle container). I wish all products were this easy. Looking for a safer fabric softener if anyone knows of one.-
Makenna Griffith 7/07/2023 4:24 PM
-