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Emma Swanson's avatar

Emma Swanson

Teska Team

"Using this challenge to find creative ways to eliminate plastic from day-to-day life :)"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 782 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    community event
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    1.0
    conversation
    with a person
  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    17
    pieces of plastic cutlery
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    17
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill

Emma's 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 1
DAILY ACTION

Community

Share My Actions

I will make my environmental actions visible by posting to my social media networks.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Homemade Cleaners

I will make my own cleaning products at home.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Tim Taylor Your Beauty Products

I will lessen my plastic impact by making my own makeup.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Lather Up

I will replace my soaps, shampoos, and conditions with either a bar or refillable option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Fresh as a Daisy

I will use deodorant either from a bar or a jar or I will make my own.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Pearly Whites

I will purchase toothpaste in an aluminum tube or in a glass jar or make my own!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Visit the Butcher

I will purchase meats and cheeses from the deli counter or a butcher shop, and use my own containers to do so.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

See the Green

I will properly recycle used contact lenses and packaging.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Lifestyle

Natural Fibers

When available, I will purchase clothing made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Lobby for Reusables

I will lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Host a House Party

I will host a house party with friends and/or colleagues to watch a movie or present a guest speaker on plastics.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Just Say No

I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Family

Plastic Free Lunch Boxes

I will only pack reusable cutlery, drinkware and tupperware-like containers in my children's lunches to reduce plastic waste.

COMPLETED 17
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
    Lifestyle Natural Fibers
    What are the benefits (to people, animals, and the environment) of purchasing clothes made with natural fibers?

    Emma Swanson's avatar
    Emma Swanson 7/26/2019 8:28 AM
    Buying clothes made of synthetic fibers, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, not only contributes to plastic pollution during production and when it gets thrown out, but also throughout its entire lifespan. Washing synthetic fabrics (in a washing machine) actually releases microplastics (known as microfibers) into our waterways.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Lifestyle Natural Fibers
    What are the benefits (to people, animals, and the environment) of purchasing clothes made with natural fibers?

    Emma Swanson's avatar
    Emma Swanson 7/26/2019 8:28 AM
    Buying clothes made of synthetic fibers, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, not only contributes to plastic pollution during production and when it gets thrown out, but also throughout its entire lifespan. Washing synthetic fabrics (in a washing machine) actually releases microplastics (known as microfibers) into our waterways.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Family Plastic Free Lunch Boxes
    Most of us know that the "3 R's" are reduce, reuse, recycle. Recycling is most heavily emphasized in modern Western culture. How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle? How does considering implementing these "R's" make you feel?

    Emma Swanson's avatar
    Emma Swanson 7/24/2019 2:38 PM
    I think that recycling should be one of the last options. The 5 R's should come first, especially reduce. We buy so much stuff nowadays that we don't actually need. For example, I don't need 50 different cleaning product made of essentially the same chemicals when I could use one natural cleaner for almost everything in my house. I would like to continue to implement the 5 R's and also be better at practicing the 5 R's because I believe that a low to zero waste lifestyle is achievable and sustainable. 

  • Emma Swanson's avatar
    Emma Swanson 7/22/2019 1:59 PM
    Bought chicken breasts from the meat/deli counter this weekend. Brought my own reusable container. The kid behind the counter was totally cool with putting the chicken in my container (no "we can't do this for sanitary/health reasons"). He simply weighed the chicken on a small wax paper (like the ones you use to grab baked goods from the bakery) and then put it in my container and put a sticker on top withe the weight/price. 

  • Emma Swanson's avatar
    Emma Swanson 7/17/2019 10:38 AM
    Brought my snack of about 20 almonds in a ridiculously large jar today ... At least I didn't use a plastic baggy!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Personal Care Pearly Whites
    Currently most of the packaging for toothpaste is plastic. How can you advocate for more alternatives through your purchasing power and influence in community?

    Emma Swanson's avatar
    Emma Swanson 7/11/2019 8:34 AM
    I made my own toothpaste using bentonite clay, baking soda, charcoal (coconut) and peppermint essential oil. It was extremely easy to make, I was able to buy most of the ingredients in bulk and I believe it will be just as effective as traditional storebought toothpaste. I will stop buying toothpaste in plastic containers and next time I go to the dentist I am hoping to discuss wi

    • Emma Swanson's avatar
      Emma Swanson 7/11/2019 8:36 AM
      ... hoping to discuss how effective my new toothpaste is and if I should encourage family and friends to try it, too.