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Christy Erfer's avatar

Christy Erfer

Beyond BYOBag Warwick

"To make an impact and be a positive influence."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 657 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    conversation
    with a person
  • UP TO
    20
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    21
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    14
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill

Christy's actions

Food

Buy Unpackaged Produce

I will purchase produce items without plastic packaging.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Takeout Pro

I will use my own containers when ordering takeout.

COMPLETED 14
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 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Share My Actions

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Pets

Pet Waste

I will spend 20 minutes learning how to compost pet waste at home or research pet waste composting services available in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 3 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Create Your Own Action

Start a Petition on Change.org

I have been keeping a list of products that I use that come in plastic bottles. I hate to give them up. Things like shampoo, hair spray, liquid dish soap, cleaners, etc. I have intended to write to all of the manufacturers and ask them to change their packaging to something sustainable. This petition to Proctor and Gamble is my first step in that direction. Hoping I can inspire others to sign and give greater weight to my request of P&G.

COMPLETED 3
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?


  • Christy Erfer's avatar
    Christy Erfer 8/02/2019 8:57 PM
    Vacation got in the way for a few days near the end of the challenge, but I am happy to say I didn't drop out of the game entirely. I'll take even the minor victories and successes! How did you do? I congratulate you for being on the team and for every step, even the baby steps, in the right direction. Thanks to all of you for making the journey with us! Now go out there and make these new habits stick! 

  • Christy Erfer's avatar
    Christy Erfer 7/30/2019 8:31 AM
    Tomorrow is the last day of the challenge. July few by! Gonna give it an extra effort, make these last 2 days count!

  • Christy Erfer's avatar
    Christy Erfer 7/29/2019 11:18 AM
    Nuts!

  • Christy Erfer's avatar
    Christy Erfer 7/29/2019 11:17 AM
    Freezing food in jars: This site has some great tips for how to do this safely. Lots of info out there on the interwebs. One reason I like freezing in mason jars is that in my pull out drawer freezer, I store the jars on their lids, so I can see what is in them with a glance. 

  • Christy Erfer's avatar
    Christy Erfer 7/29/2019 10:47 AM
    On the subject of plastic free cleaning products - I just learned about another one called Dropps. Their video is pretty entertaining!

    I've been trying the Clean Cult products for about 2 months. They have cardboard refill cartons for some items, which I love in theory, but the dish soap and hand soap, not especially thrilled with. Doesn't lather much. nicelySo far I like their dishwasher and laundry pods though. Both do the job and no plastic bottles. 


  • Christy Erfer's avatar
    Christy Erfer 7/27/2019 12:42 PM
    Have you read Beth Terry's "Plastic Free"? Great book with hundreds of ideas to incorporate into your daily life. Beth is a funny gal who shares her successes as well as oopses and failures with a great sense of humor. Her website shares her latest challenges and search for plastic-free answers. She has taken the deep dive into plastic-free living and not everyone can do that, but as we have been learning this month, every bit of change helps. Here's a post of Beth's on washing fleece and washing all the micro-fibers down the drain. There is a washing bag that holds the fibers so you can gather them and put in trash. Beth tested it and posted photos and her thoughts on it.

    • Teresa Vela-Hayes's avatar
      Teresa Vela-Hayes 7/27/2019 5:36 PM
      I will look up her book.  Her website has so much helpful information I have to set aside time to go through it all.  Thank you for sharing this information!

  • Christy Erfer's avatar
    Christy Erfer 7/26/2019 6:38 AM
    Have been away on a mini vacation. It’s been a challenge to keep even the easier actions going. Walking around town in the heat, didnt bring my refillable mug or metal straw but a frozen lemonade became very important to have! I succumbed to a plastic cup and lid BUT they had paper straws! Also brought it all back to the room, rinsed and recycled what I could. So, not a total defeat.

    • Teresa Vela-Hayes's avatar
      Teresa Vela-Hayes 7/26/2019 7:07 PM
      I know that feeling when you're torn between getting that drink/food/treat.... that you really want and deserve or passing on it because it's coming in plastic.  In those instances I try to remember all of the times I have used my reusable container and enjoy my treat!

  • Christy Erfer's avatar
    Christy Erfer 7/22/2019 10:41 AM
    Hey there faithful team members!  It's great to see the points being racked up! Nice work!

    Does anyone make their own cleaning products> I want to do it, just haven't gotten there yet. What do you use to wash your dishes, clean windows and messy spills? Would like to get some tried and true recipes!

    So far I make my own toothpaste, deodorant and face wash/moisturizing spritz and am ready to expand the line! I've heard white vinegar and water works for windows, what proportions do you use?

  • Christy Erfer's avatar
    Christy Erfer 7/21/2019 1:43 PM
    Plastic Film on tissue boxes... Why?  Please sign my petition to Kimberly-Clark, maker of Kleenex and many other paper products, asking them to rethink the film and get back to basics. Cardboard alone worked just fine for a very long time.  http://chng.it/FtYQm4c2ZD

  • Christy Erfer's avatar
    Christy Erfer 7/20/2019 9:30 PM
    Didn't get out today, at the computer working. Too hot to go running about anyway. Tomorrow is another day!
    But, a few days ago I took this photo and forgot to post it. Instead of a ziplock I save bags from purchases and reuse them. This one is from buying loose tea in bulk. The bag is plenty roomy and works just fine for crackers or cookies with a clip to hold it closed. I rinse it out over and over, it will probably end its useful life as a bag full of scooped litter burritos headed for the landfill. (I scoop my cat's buried treasure onto newspaper and roll it up, saves countless plastic bags) I really want to get that pet waste composter, that would be the best solution to the pet poop dilemma!

    • Christy Erfer's avatar
      Christy Erfer 7/27/2019 11:03 AM
      Haha, love the cow reference Michael. 


    • Michael Helme's avatar
      Michael Helme 7/26/2019 6:04 PM
      I don't buy ziplock bags anymore, but when they come within arm's reach I snag them and re-use them until the cows come home.
      If everyone adopted this custom and we convinced the cows to spend more nights out, wouldn't that be great moos!?!?

    • Teresa Vela-Hayes's avatar
      Teresa Vela-Hayes 7/22/2019 7:26 PM
      I do the same thing.  If you get in the habit of stopping to look at what you are about to throw in the trash it's amazing how many possibilities for repurposing them you find!