Laura Heck
10/24/2018 11:06 AM
I plan to take stock of water that is wasted, especially through cooking and cleaning and research how I can reduce that use.
Laura Heck
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 852 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO21plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO18plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO90minutesspent learning
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UP TO22meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
Laura's 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.
Water
Fix Leaky Faucets
I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet every day.
Energy
Choose Clean/Renewable Energy
I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.
Waste
Reduce Single-Use Disposables
Historically, marginalized and low-income communities live closer to landfills, contributing to a multitude of health problems. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate.
Water
Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.
Waste
Use Reusable Bags
I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.
Food
Smart Seafood Choices
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
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.
Food
Reduce Animal Products
I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 0 vegan meal(s) each day this week.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONWater Fix Leaky FaucetsFixing leaky faucets is one of the tasks that we can easily put off until later. Good job on completing this action! How will you use the momentum from completing this action to increase your water efficiency?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONWater Install a Low-Flow ShowerheadHow can your region/household prepare for changing water situations in order to become more resilient?
Laura Heck 10/24/2018 11:05 AMWhen I have the budget to re-landscape, I'm going to research local plants that require less water. For every fixture I replace, I will choose a low flow fixture. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Advocate For More Food Packaging OptionsWhat concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.
Laura Heck 10/24/2018 11:04 AMMy biggest concern is the amount of water that goes into the manufacturing process and how our fresh water supply is affected by the manufacturing process. Food packaging and takeout bags is a contributor to this problem. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEnergy Choose Clean/Renewable EnergyHow might you be able to get others involved in advocating for the shift to clean energy?
Laura Heck 10/24/2018 11:02 AMYou can get others involved by hosting a brown bag lunch and learn in your office. You can contact your utility provider for any programs or information. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Smart Seafood ChoicesMany states and countries have advisories on eating fish. Find out what is advised for your region. Do you think your diet choices fall within these guidelines? What steps do you need to take to make sure that they do?
Laura Heck 10/23/2018 6:39 AMMy diet does fit within Minnesota State guidelines since I don't eat a lot of locally caught fish. The problem is that when I purchase fish and other seafood, I have no idea where it is coming from. Using the Seafood Watch app when purchasing from a grocery store or going to a restaurant will help me make smarter choices about fish that are not locally caught. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Use Reusable BagsWhat 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?
Laura Heck 10/19/2018 11:01 AMIf I don't have a reusable bag, I carry loose items or accept a disposable one. I try to keep one bag in my purse, one or two in my car and a few in the house. I've thought about placing a decal on the driver's side door of my car to remind me to actually bring my bags into the grocery store. I'm constantly forgetting the bags in the car. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Reduce Single-Use DisposablesBringing your own bags and containers to the grocery store, and even to restaurants for leftovers, are a couple of ways to reduce your waste. What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?
Laura Heck 10/19/2018 10:59 AMWe use a lot of paper towel in my house. I've started to keep old t shirts on hand to use as rags for most cleanup. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Skip the StrawHow could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle?
Laura Heck 10/19/2018 10:54 AMI've made it a habit to refuse bags at stores if I forget to bring my reusable bag. Awkwardly carrying loose items to my car is a reminder to me to bring in my reusable bags. While cleaning out my house, instead of throwing out items I don't need, I think "Can someone I know use this?" -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Reduce Animal ProductsWhat do you think contributes to people in North America eating more meat than in other places, and what does this say about North American values and ways of living? How do we start shifting a meat-focused food culture?
Laura Heck 10/10/2018 8:46 AMA large part of our meat focused diet comes from the fast food industry and the marketing associated with it. There are also plenty of fad diets focused on protein intake, which people generally associate with meat, however there are other protein alternatives that can contribute to a balanced diet.-
Monica Martin 10/10/2018 9:00 AMAdvertising and marketing often go unmentioned in their contribution to the overuse, excess and waste of many things. I don't mean to say that the people doing their job are bad people. But I do think that it all comes down to the bottom line and companies know exactly what they are doing. I wish they were required to take more responsibility for their actions. Although I have no idea what that would look like.
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Laura Heck 10/04/2018 12:45 PMIt's so easy to make mindless choices. Yesterday I ordered a salad and forgot it contained shrimp, negating my commitment to sustainable seafood. I've downloaded the Seafoodwatch app, which is a good reminder to think about what I eat and order.