Molly Koleczek

The most difficult thing so far for this challenge has been writing letters to officials or public leaders each day. I am 3 letters behind but am determined to catch up soon! I've been focusing on companies that have plastic bags as their main bagging source, but I may switch over to encourage stores to at least make more sustainable options more readily available, such as compostable utensils or plates. I don't think we as a society are at a place of completely eliminating single use items, but if we can collectively show we want more options, it can make a difference! I believe purchasing powers is just as effective/important as voting!

Out to eat today, instead of using a little plastic cup for ketchup, dispensed it on a napkin! Little cup, big difference! 

I went on an unexpected trip to Walmart and did not have any bags. I bought 4 things, including eggs, but did not take a bag! 2 things fit in my purse and the other 2 I carried. I need to be better at having "car bags" for these unexpected trips.

I was a little wary of choosing the daily challenge of writing to public officials/company leaders each day, but then decided it's a CHALLENGE for a reason! Some of the other challenges are good actions, but not necessarily hard to do. I'm really happy to do this letter-writing challenge because to write letters with specificity to each company, I need to do a little bit of research. Even after just 10 minutes reading about each company, I've found great information, mostly encouraging! It's great to see most companies already starting sustainability goals, and gives me a tad bit of hope. :) 

Yesterday, I didn't write any letters so I am doing two today! Up first: Kroger Companies-thanks Andrea for the idea! Kroger actually has quite a few sustainability goals with the most recent that you can look into at this link: http://sustainability.kroger.com/about-this-report-2020-sustainability-goals-update.html Some of their goals include becoming zero-waste in food products sourcing sustainable food products such as seafood and palm oil, sourcing animal products from high-welfare origins, and in terms of plastic, offering recycling programs, recycling packaging and reducing plastic packaging. I'm hoping by writing these letters, the powers that be will realize their current efforts are appreciated, and people want companies to do more!

Today's letter encouraging reduction of single use plastics went to Albertson's Corporations. I've frequented various Albertson's companies as one of my main grocery store options, and while bringing my own grocery bags is one of the more consistent ways I reduce my plastics use, the company still defaults to bagging in plastic. The company does offer recycling centers at at least some of their locations, but again, more action needs to be taken! If anyone has suggestions for other companies or corporations to write letters to, let me know! I'm going to switch to state and federal leadership for the next few days!

Last night at my second job I was so hungry and didn't have any food with me. I begrudgingly ate a ramen noodle cup from the stash of snacks they keep for employees. I felt terrible about it, so I learned my lesson that I need to pack more of my own food when I have a double shift!

For my challenge today of contacting a business leader, I chose Target Corporations. With a little research, I found out that Target is already taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint and become more sustainable, through actions such as switching all stores to LED lighting, installing solar panels at certain locations, and using wind energy for a certain portion of power. However, I could not find information regarding decreasing plastics use. You might be aware that Target offers a 5 cent discount per own personal bag brought in instead of using a plastic bag, but this isn't enough any more! Hopefully with a little more push, major corporations will make a change!