Nicole Hellmuth
7/31/2019 11:43 AM
July 1 - July 31, 2019
Nicole Hellmuth
"Try new things! Better me and better the planet!"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,191 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO88plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO88plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO135minutesspent learning
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UP TO58disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO118plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO1.0waste auditconducted
Nicole's actions
Food
Minimize Packaging
I will purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.
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.
Family
Provide the Alternatives
I will provide daily plastic free alternatives (straws, water bottles, cuttlery, bar soap, bamboo toothbrushes, etc.) for my family to use.
Community
Estimate Your Plastic Consumption and Go #PlasticNeutral
I will visit rePurpose website, complete the 3-minute plastic consumption calculator, and explore how I can reBalance my annual plastic footprint.
Personal Care
Fresh as a Daisy
I will use deodorant either from a bar or a jar or I will make my own.
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.
Community
Share My Actions
I will make my environmental actions visible by posting to my social media networks.
Lifestyle
Travel Smart
If traveling, I will bring my own plastic free items (water bottle, grocery bags, collapsible food containers, utensils, straws, etc.) with me.
Lifestyle
Watch a Documentary
I will watch a documentary film about waste with family and friends and talk about what we learned.
Lifestyle
Complete a Waste Audit
I will conduct a waste audit - including recyclables and compost - to understand how much waste I create and where I can reduce the most.
Family
Swap the Snacks
I will swap out 1 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.
Personal Care
Brusha Brusha Brusha
I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.
Personal Care
Lather Up
I will replace my soaps, shampoos, and conditions with either a bar or refillable option.
Lifestyle
Support a Sharing Economy
I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.
Family
Discover Together
I will spend 20 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLifestyle Complete a Waste AuditWhat did you learn about the waste you create? Where can you reduce the most?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONPersonal Care Lather UpWhat are the economic and personal benefits of switching to bar soap/shampoo/conditioner or refillable bottle options?
Nicole Hellmuth 7/28/2019 8:10 AMBar soap/shampoo/conditioner are often hand made or produced by local small buisinesses, so you are helping your community! Personally, I buy shampoos that are a 2 in 1 so I save money! -
Nicole Hellmuth 7/27/2019 9:38 AMThe Hellmuth's are doing the waste audit challenge this weekend. Interested to see what we throw out most! I made some basic categories and will be using a tally system. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONPets Pet WasteBy composting your pet waste, you are turning waste into nutrients to feed the soil. In what other ways can you turn waste into a resource in your life?
Nicole Hellmuth 7/27/2019 9:35 AMI was interested in composting my small animal waste. If I switch back to Aspen bedding from paper, the shavings would act as the dirt or grass normally covering a compost pile. Aspen is also cheaper than paper and I wouldn't fill my town trash bags as quickly. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONPersonal Care Fresh as a DaisyDo 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?
Nicole Hellmuth 7/26/2019 10:36 AMI have sensitive skin and definitely suffered from side effects caused by regular deodorant. I'm now using Meow Meow Tweet Tweet. Funny name but it does the trick and comes in cardboard. Looking for a cheaper brand though.-
Erica Farrell 7/27/2019 2:39 PMCrystal is a mineral rock and I find it works great and does not irritate my skin at all. And it lasts for ever!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLifestyle Travel SmartHow can/did you prepare to be successful in this action? Did you engage in conversation with anyone about your new habit?
Nicole Hellmuth 7/26/2019 10:02 AMLuckily I have learned from experience what to bring on a trip. The problem is remembering to bring my containers, reusable bags, etc. When I was on my trip, my items were out in the open. When I saw water bottle refill stations, my family would stop and wait for me. It was a great way to generate conversation. They ran out of water a few times and I shared mine! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Minimize PackagingWith 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?
Nicole Hellmuth 7/26/2019 9:54 AMSo many snacks come in single use plastic! Most convenient snacks I would normally grab on the go, like granola bars or rice crispy treats, come in that candy wrapper style packaging. I've had to cut out some of my favorites! I want to try and make my own version!-
Erica Farrell 7/27/2019 2:40 PMThat’s a great goal. I need to do that too!
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Nicole Hellmuth 7/25/2019 6:07 AMI just saw an ad for bamboo TP made sustainably. But it's wrapped in plastic. And someone commented that it probably takes a lot of chemicals to soften the bamboo and mentioned the water used might not be in a closed system. Why is shopping sustainably so hard!-
Erica Farrell 7/25/2019 8:51 AMI also switched to who gives a crap TP. We’re currently using the recycled type, not the bamboo. So far we’re happy but it does leave a little if you know what I mean. 🥴 technique is key. I’d recommend it for sure though. They make paper towels and tissues too. Haven’t tried those yet, but I’ll definitely be looking into it because we have a paper towel problem. -
Allie Hobgood 7/25/2019 7:07 AMWho gives a crap TP is at least wrapped in paper. They have bamboo toilet paper and 100% recycled toilet paper if you're not sure about the bamboo thing (FYI from what I understand yes, making fabric with bamboo involves a very potent chemical mixture, but making paper seems to involve little more than boiling, bleaching (boooo, why?!) and pressing). You can also look into bidets, which use far less water than the production of any sort of toilet paper and obviously, no trees or bamboo either. Another option is family cloth if you're not opposed to something reusable.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Estimate Your Plastic Consumption and Go #PlasticNeutralWhat did you find out about your plastic consumption by using the calculator? What did or didn't surprise you?
Nicole Hellmuth 7/24/2019 5:38 AMAfter using the calculator, I was surprised to be better than over 70% of the general public about using fewer single-use plastics. I still have areas I can improve on though, that's not a surprise. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFamily Discover TogetherWhat concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.
Nicole Hellmuth 7/23/2019 9:52 AMLocally, what concerns me most is how much ground leveling happens every day. My area used to be really wooded with loads of wildlife. That is no longer the case.
