Brittany Caldwell

"I want to make changes that will positively impact the environment and be a resource for family and friends so they can do the same. "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
800 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

5.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

2.0

petitions

signed
UP TO

14

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Brittany's 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

Community

Sign a Petition

I will sign a petition in support of a plastic-related initiative in my state/province.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Buy Unpackaged Produce

I will purchase produce items without plastic packaging.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Pets

All Natural Pet Toys

I will give my pets natural alternatives to toys like femur bones and antlers, canvas, natural rubber, hemp, rope or cotton toys. Or I will make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Takeout Pro

I will use my own containers when ordering takeout.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 3
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 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Lobby for Reusables

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Create Your Own Action

Zero Waste Pet Food

My goal is to find pet food that is grain free for the health of my animals, sourced from a company that has as little environmental impact as possible.

COMPLETED 26
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?

Brittany Caldwell 7/21/2019 12:50 PM

I would guess that as consumers, plastic packaging is appealing because it takes away the need for us to prepare or organize. Produce items that come in these packages are often already prepared in some way, which cuts down on time as well as the need to think about how to complete the meal. Having a container in your fridge rather than a loose bunch of something might also make things seem tidier. I'm sure the biggest benefit goes to the packaging manufacturers because they can make more money selling to the produce company, while that company in turn upcharges consumers for the convenience.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use Reusable Containers

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

Brittany Caldwell 7/21/2019 12:38 PM

I will try to re-use a disposable container until it has reached the end of its usable life, or find a way to re-purpose it so it maintains some usefulness (i.e. holding nails/screws or other difficult to store hardware).

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Minimize Packaging

With the added mindfulness of reducing your packaging, what have you noticed about the amount and type of single use plastics used for packaging when you shop in the grocery store?

Brittany Caldwell 7/21/2019 12:28 PM

Much of the plastic packaging I see is excessive in the extreme, as the package itself might be four times the size of the item it contains or more. Some of the packaging might have product information or instructions on it, but some of it is completely blank. Even before beginning this challenge, I wondered why the amount of excess plastic was sometimes so ridiculous, but now I'm even more curious to understand. Is there a purpose for it?

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Brittany Caldwell 7/10/2019 11:27 AM

Texas Roadhouse is totally okay with reusable containers for leftovers! Our server really liked that I brought my own, and there are two older ladies who are regulars there who do the same thing.

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- Carrie Dean 7/10/2019 1:51 PM
  
  I think this necessitates a road trip to Texas Roadhouse!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Takeout Pro

How could you mitigate issues that may arise if the restaurant does not want to let you use your own containers at first?

Brittany Caldwell 7/09/2019 7:32 PM

I am going to see if Texas Roadhouse will allow me to use my own container for my leftovers tonight when I have dinner with my parents. I know some restaurants aren't always keen on doing this so will provide an update.

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Brittany Caldwell 7/01/2019 11:11 PM

Grain free and carbon neutral? Sure is!

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Brittany Caldwell 6/15/2019 11:59 AM

On a recent trip to a national retail store, I bought more items than I originally intended and didn't have a reusable bag with me. I didn't have more than I could reasonably carry and I was prepared to refuse the plastic bag at checkout. The checker pleasantly surprised me by asking whether or not I wanted a bag, and when I said "no, thank you", she thanked me for choosing to use less plastic. We had a quick conversation about plastic consumption (as well as the option offered to email rather than print a receipt) and I thanked her for giving me the choice to be more sustainable. She said the company is beginning to implement the question at checkout in an effort to be more sustainable in all of their stores, and is grateful for the feedback from employees and customers alike.

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