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October 3 - October 24, 2018

Metal Toad Feed

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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 Use Reusable Bags
    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?

    Meghane Hardin's avatar
    Meghane Hardin 10/09/2018 9:51 AM
    Since I reuse bags for trash I am not too worried if I need to take one. It is usually easy to do without though
  • 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?

    Meghane Hardin's avatar
    Meghane Hardin 10/09/2018 9:48 AM
    It is hard to determine what the packaging consists of sometimes. Not all products are available without plastic wrapping either. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy Online Energy Audit
    What most interested or surprised you about your own energy footprint?

    Kelly Austin's avatar
    Kelly Austin 10/09/2018 9:42 AM
    I was surprised that the energy audit did not clearly display all of the energy efficient options that my home already has in place. That diminished my trust in the audit. I only had the potential to save 5%, it said, by using an energy efficient clothes washing machine. Oddly enough, I don't even have a washer or dryer! But, I do go to a laundromat with earth friendly options. I'm curious about how these audits are structured, what sorts of assumptions are made, and who the target audience is. :-)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Go Paperless
    Reducing 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?

    Meghane Hardin's avatar
    Meghane Hardin 10/09/2018 9:12 AM
    Most mail is hard to avoid as it is either not sent to me directly  but to "resident of" or there is no easy way to stop it. 
  • 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?

    Meghane Hardin's avatar
    Meghane Hardin 10/08/2018 11:35 AM
    There are a lot of programs for recycling products but it seems that:
    1. Not all products have easy ways to be recycled
    2. The cost is prohibitive (getting the Terracycle box for recycling luggage and bags costs as much as a new suitcase)
    3. Some programs ask you to send the the items back through mail but that would increase the carbon footprint..
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy Power Down the Computer
    What are other easy things you could do to save energy and reduce your environmental footprint?

    Kelly Austin's avatar
    Kelly Austin 10/04/2018 3:38 PM
    I use sweaters, layers, and extra blankets instead of turning on or up the heat. 

  • Lauren Shey's avatar
    Lauren Shey 10/04/2018 2:37 PM
    I've challenged myself to take 5 minute showers during the EcoChallenge for a few years now and it's always more difficult than I remember. A good reminder that my 5 minute showers are probably more like 7 minute showers. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature Keep a Nature Journal
    What natural gifts are you grateful for?

    Kelly Austin's avatar
    Kelly Austin 10/03/2018 11:58 AM
    I am grateful for the turning of the seasons. It's a chance to reflect on change.

  • Lauren Shey's avatar
    Lauren Shey 10/03/2018 11:53 AM
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Visit a Waste Management Facility
    Field trip! What a fun way to learn about our impact and consumption! What facility did you visit? What did you learn? Did you take anyone with you?

    Joaquin Lippincott's avatar
    Joaquin Lippincott 9/27/2018 8:54 AM
    I spent a day onsite at the waste water management facility in Los Angeles County and I was surprised to learn how much needs to be manually taken out of the water.  Egg shells in particular are really abrasive and can cause problems even to very large machines.