Austin Van Wyhe
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 406 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO260gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO52plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO14pounds of CO2have been saved
Austin's actions
Water
5-Minute Showers
I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.
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 2 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.
Energy
Turn it off
I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.
Waste
Skip the Straw
Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.
Energy
Power Down the Computer
I will power down my computer and monitor when not using it for more than 2 hours, saving up to (1.1) lbs of CO2 each day that I do this.
Waste
Go Paperless
I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and ending unwanted subscriptions.
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 Say No to Plastic StrawsWhat single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?
Austin Van Wyhe 10/24/2018 9:39 AMYou can substitute reusable shopping bags for plastic bags, or keep using the plastic bags for other activities. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWater 5-Minute ShowersFive minute showers are an impressive step toward reducing your water footprint. What is the next step you can take?
Austin Van Wyhe 10/24/2018 9:38 AMThe next step could be the further reduction of shower times (Four minute showers?!?) along with smarter dish and laundry washing habits. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Skip the StrawHow could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle?
Austin Van Wyhe 10/24/2018 9:37 AMUse not just reusable straws, but reusable water bottles and cups as well. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Go PaperlessReducing your paper mail can be such a freeing action to take -- by reducing what is coming in, you can reduce what is going into the recycling bin too. How does it make you feel? What is the next step you will take to reduce your waste?
Austin Van Wyhe 10/24/2018 9:36 AMSigning up to be removed from junk mail services both removes your clutter and reduces waste. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEnergy Power Down the ComputerWhat are other easy things you could do to save energy and reduce your environmental footprint?
Austin Van Wyhe 10/24/2018 9:36 AMSmarter light usage, like the Boise site is doing with new light-triggering motion sensors. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEnergy Turn it offHow is electricity generated where you live? How does it impact the environment, animals, and humans?
Austin Van Wyhe 10/24/2018 9:35 AMElectricity we're I'm at is mixture of renewable and nonrenewable sources with both hydroelectric power being the source of 79% of Idaho's electricity in 2016.