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October 3 - October 24, 2018
Melissa Moore's avatar

Melissa Moore

OHSU

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 816 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    120
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    360
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    19
    pounds
    waste composted
  • UP TO
    1.0
    waste audit
    conducted

Melissa's actions

Health

Take Control

Both system and personal sustainability are important! I will develop a plan with my medical professionals to achieve my best health and live my life to the fullest.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Join my Neighborhood Association

I will join my neighborhood association or another local group.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Personal Waste Audit

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Support Pollution Reduction

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 15 minute(s) each day.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Find Local Recycling Depots

I will spend at least 60 minutes finding out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Buy Used Clothes

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the perils of fast fashion and will buy my clothes at second-hand stores when I shop.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

I will watch 1 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Compost Food Waste

I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill each day by composting my food or learning how to.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Advocate For More Food Packaging Options

I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Create Your Own Action

Social Media Challenge

I will share eco-friendly information to friends and family through social media at least 3 times a week. This is a great way to communicate ways to reduce waste with people I don't see on a daily basis.

COMPLETED 9
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?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Personal Waste Audit
    Why is it so difficult to understand the impacts our purchases and waste have on other people, animals, and places? How might your experience with this challenge impact your future consumption and choices?

    Melissa Moore's avatar
    Melissa Moore 10/22/2018 3:07 PM
    We don’t want to admit that our busy lifestyles have created the waste problem and we rely too heavily on convenience products. It's easier to ignore the problem than to take the time to fix it.  People don't have the time (or want to make the time) to search out more eco-friendly options. I also think it’s a lack of education on some levels. Some people do not realize they are contributing to this problem and just need to learn the impact they have and how they can start to make changes. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health Support Pollution Reduction
    What environmental factors affect human health in your region, and how do they affect it?

    Melissa Moore's avatar
    Melissa Moore 10/20/2018 1:49 PM
    The biggest factors are everyday activities, such as commuting, mowing, taking a shower, and using toxic household products. According to Oregon.gov, these everyday activities account for 90% of air pollution which can lead to health problems. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Advocate For More Food Packaging Options
    What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.

    Melissa Moore's avatar
    Melissa Moore 10/17/2018 9:54 AM
    It's hard to say what concerns me the most. There are so many ways that we are destroying our planet right now. I would say global warming is the most pressing issue. While I am doing my part on an individual level to reduce my footprint on the earth, there needs to be major changes within governments and corporations to turn this around. My next biggest concern is the amount of trash polluting our waterways. There needs to be a bigger emphasis on reducing, not just recycling, around the globe. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Compost Food Waste
    New to composting? Be sure to check out the action resource links to learn tips and more about it. As you transition from throwing food away to composting, what do you notice about how much you are tossing? Do you know how your compost will be used and the benefits it has on the environment?

    Melissa Moore's avatar
    Melissa Moore 10/17/2018 9:49 AM
    What I've noticed most since starting to compost is how empty my trash can is now. I assumed the majority of my trash was food waste, but didn't realize how much of it was food. It's been eye-opening and rewarding to see how little trash I produce now. I've been putting off composting because I live in an apartment and have no idea what to do with the compost when it's ready, but I decided I will just figure that out when the time comes. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health Exercise Daily
    How can you incorporate other personal values (like quality time with friends or spending time in nature) into your exercise routine?

    Melissa Moore's avatar
    Melissa Moore 10/15/2018 4:29 PM
    The best way for me to incorporate personal values into my exercise routine is to take my dog for a run. He loves to run and I hate it, but when I take him with me it makes it more enjoyable since I know he is having a good time. Plus, it makes me more accountable when his exercise is dependent on me. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Find Local Recycling Depots
    Our ability to recycle certain things ebbs and flows based upon many factors. Luckily there are places that accept uncommon things to recycle or dispose of in a less harmful way. What did you find when looking for places to recycle items that can't be recycled in your curbside bin?

    Melissa Moore's avatar
    Melissa Moore 10/08/2018 12:21 PM
    I've learned that a lot of things can be recycled if we just take the time to do some research. Portland is a great place because there are so many businesses geared toward sustainability, that is makes it a little easier to recycle. Plus, you can always call Metro for assistance with hard to recycle items. If something can't be recycled, it's good to check with your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook to see if anyone has a need for the item before throwing it away.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Buy Used Clothes
    Do people with economic privilege have a responsibility to consume and own less? How can the concept of "reduce" be presented to those who may be struggling to have enough food, clothes, shelter?

    Melissa Moore's avatar
    Melissa Moore 10/05/2018 4:31 PM
    I think everyone has a responsibility to consume and own less. Reducing isn't just about giving up expensive items that only the privileged have access to; it's about reducing your footprint on the earth in whatever way you can. Buying disposable paper towels and plates can add up, so in the long run it is cheaper to purchase reusable napkins, dishes, and utensils. Bulk shopping is often cheaper and reduces the amount of packaging used. Buying second hand whenever you can should really apply to all. While some may have more money and time to be more eco-friendly, I think there are ways that everyone can reduce their footprint, no matter their economic status.