Richard Duffy

The Hartford Environmental Action Team (HEAT)

"Give as much as I take. "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
361 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

13

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

13

whole food meals

consumed
UP TO

585

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

585

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

13

pounds

waste composted

Richard's actions

Food

Plant an Herb Garden

I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Skip the Straw

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a 45-minute walk outside each day.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

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 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Whole Foods Diet

I will enjoy 1 meal(s) each day free of processed foods.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

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?
Richard Duffy 10/04/2018 8:19 AM
If I don't have a bag with me, I carry out. If too much to handle, I ask to put back in the cart and then empty the cart into my vehicle and then make multiple trips into the house. I also get the added benefit of extra steps in my daily steps challenge.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
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?
Richard Duffy 10/04/2018 8:17 AM
I purchased a home in February and immediately created a designated compost area in the yard. The compost will be used in my raised vegetable garden to help supplement the soil. The amount of compost helps reduce the volume of garbage waste going to the landfill.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle?
Richard Duffy 10/04/2018 8:14 AM
Before the national hype of banning straws and plastic grocery bags, I refused to use straws and help reduce harmful plastics in the environment. I grew up along the shore area of NJ and saw first hand the effects of pollution and especially plastics washing up on the beach. I worked on a town beach sanitation crew and vowed to personally reduce the amount of plastic in my garbage.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature

How do you experience your neighborhood or city differently when walking instead of driving?
Richard Duffy 10/04/2018 8:11 AM
Get to stop and say hello to neighbors as I walk through my neighborhood.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Michael Pollan states that "it is better to pay the grocer (our edit: or the farmer!) than the doctor." What are your thoughts on this?
Richard Duffy 10/04/2018 8:10 AM
Eating more fresh and organic foods is better than processed foods. I know what went into my foods. Eliminate the "garbage in, garbage out" with food consumption.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Consider the ways you can garden: a plot of land? a patio container? hanging basket? windowsill gardens? What would work best for your living situation and lifestyle?
Richard Duffy 10/04/2018 8:06 AM
Removed front lawn and added raised beds for vegetables and flowers. Added drought tolerant ornamental plants and dwarf fruit trees for shade.

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