"I will make changes in my life to use less unneeded resources and attempt to be less wasteful of what I do use. "
Points Total
0
Today
0
This Week
2,718
Total
Participant Impact
up to
38
plastic straws
not sent to the landfill
up to
600
gallons of water
have been saved
up to
150
minutes
spent learning
Challenges
Waste
Visit a Waste Management Facility
I will spend at least 120 minutes visiting a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about the waste stream.
Completed One-Time Challenge
Food
Smart Seafood Choices
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
COMPLETED 1 OF 22
DAILY CHALLENGE
Water
5-Minute Showers
I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.
COMPLETED 21 OF 22
DAILY CHALLENGE
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 19 OF 22
DAILY CHALLENGE
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 1 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.
COMPLETED 19 OF 22
DAILY CHALLENGE
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.
Completed One-Time Challenge
Health
Go get a check up
I will make an appointment for my annual physical.
Uncompleted One-Time Challenge
Waste
Use Reusable Bags
I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.
Can't believe the EcoChallenge is almost over. The time went incredibly quick. Hopefully DMS students will have made some new environmentally friendly habits.
DMS students went to the ACUA wastewater treatment and solar and wind farm facility. We learned in a laboratory presentation how wastewater is treated and then saw first hand looking into the smelly tanks! We also view the ACUA landfill and recycling center. I was amazed at how large the landfill was and shocked to hear it would be full in about 10 years. I was also shocked and disappointed to see how many plastic bags had to be removed from the recycling before it could be processed. DpuacOrWwAAR8PC.jpg224.39 KBDpuBIymU0AEsqAD.jpg138.23 KB
Many 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?
I enjoy eating fish and want to try to eat fish that is sustainable and not over fished. I do look for the sustainable symbol if buying bagged fish. How do I ensure I get sustainable fish when buying at the supermarket or at a restaurant though? Looking at the seafood watch app it looks like my only options are whole foods or red lobster?
I could make the 5 minute shower today. I got really dirty doing yard work and needed extra time to get clean. I was aware of the time and did shower quicker than I normally would have under the same circumstances.
Awesome Jonathan! I'm an advocate for taking 5-minute cold showers - you feel like Superman when you walk out of the cold shower into a nice warm room!
Looking forward to getting start tomorrow and hopefully inspiring my students to keep their positive changes going long after the challenge ends. Thank you North West Institute for such a great, fun, easy way to do right by our planet!
