Jennifer Voss

"My favorite comment I've heard recently is that we need more people doing "zero-waste" imperfectly than just a few people doing "zero-waste" perfectly."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
548 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

5.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

18

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

4.0

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Jennifer's actions

Food

Takeout Pro

I will use my own containers when ordering takeout.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Advocate For More Food Packaging Options

I will advocate for alternatives to single use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, or work.

COMPLETED
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

Personal Care

Fresh as a Daisy

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Support a Sharing Economy

I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Share My Actions

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Watch a Documentary

I will watch a documentary film about waste with family and friends and talk about what we learned.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Use a Reusable Mug / Collapsible Cup

I will avoid sending 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own collapsible cup.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Lifestyle

Buy Only What I Need

I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors. Why not try using hair conditioner instead of shaving foam for that baby smooth feel?

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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?

Jennifer Voss 7/31/2019 7:25 AM

On this final day of the challenge, I feel really good about it. I have made myself more aware of the challenges we face, helped to spread awareness and increased my efforts to reduce my overall impact and plastic use. I look forward to the next group challenge and hope to recruit my team mates to participate.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Personal Care That Was a Close Shave

What have you noticed about the economic and social impact of switching to steel razors? Was there ever really a need for disposable razors, or do you think it was just a way to sell more things?

Jennifer Voss 7/30/2019 7:07 AM

I do think marketing disposable razors was absolutely a way to sell more. I can't wait to finish my supply of plastic razors and invest in a long-lasting steel one. I also think it is interesting just how recently they even started advertising to women to shave, citing a solution to an embarrassing personal problem. Hmm, interesting...

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Jennifer Voss 7/30/2019 6:59 AM

It makes me feel good when I see that some of my actions have inspired those around me to make some changes, whether it is refusing a straw at a restaurant, bringing their own plastic bag, or trying a plastic free alternative.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Share My Actions

In what ways is social media an effective tool for sharing your values?

Jennifer Voss 7/30/2019 6:57 AM

Social Media has become a primary source for interaction between friends, a place for discussion and debate, as well as informative information sharing.
By having these discussions on a public/social platform, we can reach so many more people, or focus on discussing within groups of like-minded people to learn and share.
I have gotten so much insight by watching people on YouTube and Facebook share their journey, struggles, ideas and insight on environmentalism, minimalism, and plastic awareness.

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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?

Jennifer Voss 7/29/2019 9:54 AM

Purchasing power shows companies what we want by voting with our dollars. By spending less on items packaged in plastic, companies are getting the message and offering alternatives. I've tried the charcoal tooth powder in a jar, and next will try the aluminum tube package. I've even seen dissolvable tooth tablets!
I'm amazed at some of the packaging innovations I've come across in the last month alone.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Personal Care Fresh as a Daisy

Do some research on the toxic side affects of aluminum deodorant. After reading the side effects, can you think of instances where you may have experienced the side effects from this form of deodorant?

Jennifer Voss 7/29/2019 7:50 AM

I've done some research, and definitely noticed a difference when switching. I don't like how that aluminum deodorant seals up your skin and prevents you from sweating out toxins. It took some time to adjust to the switch, to get all of that out.
I now alternate between a few types of natural alternatives, it can be difficult to find the right one for your body type (I found out I am sensitive to baking soda, found in many alternatives. i have found some packaged not in plastic, so I do the best I can taking everything into consideration.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Advocate For More Food Packaging Options

Single use plastics have become normalized in our society to the point that most people don't see them as a problem. What would you say to a friend, colleague, or family member who may not understand why these disposables are an issue?

Jennifer Voss 7/25/2019 8:59 AM

I show them a few simple changes I've made, so that they can hopefully feel inspired, rather than lectured.
My general approach is to acknowledge that there are many issues our world faces today, and I feel as though this is one I can actively do something about every day to make a change. I remind them that these plastics are difficult to recycle, cause damage to our planet and wildlife, and the images I've seen circulating are so disheartening I can't not do something to try to help.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle Support a Sharing Economy

What are the benefits of a sharing economy? How could a sharing economy change the dynamics you have with friends, family and/or neighbors?

Jennifer Voss 7/17/2019 9:46 AM

There are many benefits of a sharing economy. It allows for another use of item that may have gone to waste, and an opportunity for the next person to try something new or different.
I enjoy clothes swapping with friends, and always have a container designated for items that I'm getting rid of to share or donate.

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Jennifer Voss 7/16/2019 8:02 AM

For Houston area participants, I would like to share about a unique place I found, Texas Art Asylum. It is like a re-store for artists/creatives. They intake donations of all types of things that otherwise might go in the trash, as people can repurpose so many things. Anyone can shop there for art supplies, jewelry, vintage and unique items. They set up one large room for their "teacher store" and have specific dates that teachers can find all sorts of things they can use in the classroom. I'm so proud of what they are doing, because a lot of the materials just can't be recycled, and it's keeping it out of the landfill, and helping teachers save money, because as we know they often spend their own money to support activities for the kids. It is definitely worth checking out the website or the store, because it is a very interesting place.
Maybe other cities have similar organizations as well.

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Jennifer Voss 7/11/2019 10:43 AM

I joined this challenge because I had been getting discouraged by the amount of plastic surrounding every aspect of our lives, and I saw this is a way to interact with like-minded individuals. It's inspiring to see how many people do care and want to do more. I can also see that larger organizations are really waking up to this issue and making changes in the right direction.

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