Theresa LeClaire

The Hartford Environmental Action Team (HEAT)

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
266 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

160

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

450

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

450

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

30

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

24

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill

Theresa's actions

Water

5-Minute Showers

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Say No to Plastic Straws

An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When they ingest plastic, marine life has a 50% mortality rate. By asking for no straw when placing a drink order, I will keep 3 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a 30-minute walk outside each day.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

Theresa LeClaire 10/24/2018 7:50 AM

My new silicone straws came in as the metal can be difficult to use in cups that may be lighter. I love how light they are but they also have bright colors which is fun

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use Reusable Bags

What do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items but don't have a reuseable one with you? Carry things out in your hands? In a cart? Accept a disposable one? If you find yourself in this position often, what system could you put in place to try to establish this a successful habit?

Theresa LeClaire 10/22/2018 4:32 AM

I recently purchased some reusable bags that fold up so small (roughly the size of a tennis ball) they are easy enough to keep in a purse, backpack, or just in the car so that I always have them on hand. If for some reason I find myself without a reusable bag, I opt for paper bags where possible or will utilize a box that can be recycled. If these aren't options, I will purchase a reusable bag from the store if I absolutely need a bag. I have an expandable 3 part crate in the back of my car so I can always put loose items in there vs opting for a disposable bag.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Water Say No to Plastic Straws

What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?

Theresa LeClaire 10/10/2018 6:39 AM

I purchased reusable metal straws and I love them. I even found ones that fold up that I can attach to my keys and bring with me to restaurants and other events where I may be provided a plastic straw normally

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Theresa LeClaire 10/10/2018 6:33 AM

I've recently joined MightyFix which also has great options to help save the planet such as reusable cloths (reduce paper towel use); silicone and other reusable sandwich bags; wool balls for the dryer to stop using dryer sheets and much more! Doing that and this challenge I feel well prepared to continue to reduce my waste. I also have been composting and the amount of trash we throw out is so little now!

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