Sarah McTeague

Bank of America

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
333 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

3.0

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Sarah's actions

Lifestyle

Travel Smart

If traveling, I will bring my own plastic free items (water bottle, grocery bags, collapsible food containers, utensils, straws, etc.) with me.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Buy Unpackaged Produce

I will purchase produce items without plastic packaging.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Minimize Packaging

I will purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Shop the Bulk Bins

I will purchase dry goods from the bulk section of my grocery store, and use my own containers to do so.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Takeout Pro

I will use my own containers when ordering takeout.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Start Composting

I will start a compost collection at home, work, or school.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Naked Bins

I will either line my trash cans with repurposed newspaper or paper bags, or I will not line my trash cans at all.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Create Your Own Action

Eliminate the Top 4

Bags, bottles, straws and coffee cups

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Buy Unpackaged Produce

Why do you think these produce products started amassing so much plastic packaging? Who is the plastic packaging really serving -- the consumer, the producer, or someone else?

Sarah McTeague 7/02/2019 10:17 AM

I believe products contain so much plastic because as consumers, we tend to choose the most convenient options presented to us, which typically include serving sized packaged foods ready for "grab and go". I myself am guilty of this as I sometimes feel overwhelmed at the thought of having to carve specific time out of my days to go to farmer's markets, stores with bulk bins, etc. The awareness is definitely growing but at least here in Charlotte, we have a long way to go in terms of the options available for more sustainably packaged food options. When I go to the typical grocery store, I cringe at the amount of plastic I see in the produce section. Individually wrapped cucumbers, pre-sliced and vacuum sealed avocados (yes, these exist), single serve carrot packs or chip bags. The answer is to simply spend a few minutes a week buying bulk items and dividing them up yourself, but the challenge is getting people to opt for sustainability over convenience.

Read More
Sarah McTeague 7/02/2019 9:59 AM

Fore those in the Charlotte area: please share if you have any lunch spots that are plastic-free! Of course bringing your own food is preferred, but we all know time is of the essence. Would love to hear from you if you have any recommendations.

Read More
- Tim Van Order 7/29/2019 5:44 AM
  
  where are you located? I think Sabor does a good job of having compostable utensils/stuff. its hard to find restaurants that actually care about trying to reduce plastic tho. :(
  Most sit-down restaurants ( I was at Basil last week) don't generally use too much plastic, its the quick-service places that go for that convenience.
  
  Read More