Donna Austin

"A little effort from each of us would be an immense step in the right direction to protect and conserve our resources and save our planet!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
574 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

164

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

19

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

40

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Donna's actions

Food

Skip the Straw

I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusable Water Bottles

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusable Containers

I will only use reusable containers instead of single-use plastic storage items (such as plastic wrap, single-use sandwich bags).

COMPLETED 25
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusables at Work

I will use reusable dishes and silverware when eating at work.

COMPLETED 15
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 Skip the Straw

Have you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.

Donna Austin 7/23/2019 5:52 AM

There are more public ads for reusable straws; therefore, more local businesses are offering the reusable straws for purchase (sometimes with catchy phrases or styles to entice the purchaser). My daughter put reusable straws on her Amazon wish list, which took me by surprise! I've also seen our local restaurants bring water before a meal with no straw (when they previously had always included them).

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use Reusable Containers

How can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?

Donna Austin 7/16/2019 10:04 AM

When you know you'll use something that doesn't expire, buy in bulk. There is less packaging and you can then utilize what you have around the house to bring snacks or food to work. I actually do wash out zip lock bags and reuse them over and over again so they are not one-time use. I started making sure that reusable containers that I buy are multi-functional so that I can use them for any type of item and they won't leak, thus being able to buy fewer of them.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use Reusables at Work

It is often true that we only have control over our own actions and not the collective community. How can you lead by example when it comes to switching disposables for reusable dishes in your community?

Donna Austin 7/10/2019 4:34 AM

By talking about the small things that can be done to eliminate waste and the future of the planet, you can make a difference. Generally, at community get-togethers, the environment is friendly enough that you can make a difference by bringing along reusable dishes and straws. Talking to children about why you are doing what you're doing also helps because they absorb this information.

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Donna Austin 7/09/2019 6:19 AM

I refused plastic straws at several restaurants over the long weekend and talked my family into doing the same. Fourth of July cookout with frozen drinks -- told my sister no plastic straws or "throw away" dishes and we used all reusables. They're on board!!!!

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Donna Austin 7/02/2019 11:38 AM

Whipped cream cheese containers are sturdy and can be used for years! I bring fruit in mine each day.

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