James Ravenscroft
"To cut down on plastic usage as one of many steps to shrink my carbon footprint."
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 717 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO100minutesspent learning
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UP TO6.0petitionssigned
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UP TO54pieces of litterpicked up
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UP TO44plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO15plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
James's 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!
Pets
Pet Waste
I will spend 10 minutes learning how to compost pet waste at home or research pet waste composting services available in my area.
Community
Keep My Community Clean
I will pick up 3 piece(s) of litter each day.
Lifestyle
Natural Fibers
When available, I will purchase clothing made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.
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).
Personal Care
Pearly Whites
I will purchase toothpaste in an aluminum tube or in a glass jar or make my own!
Lifestyle
Watch a Documentary
I will watch a documentary film about waste with family and friends and talk about what we learned.
Food
Takeout Pro
I will use my own containers when ordering takeout.
Food
Plant a Garden
I will plant an herb or vegetable garden in my home, workplace, or community garden
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.
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.
Community
Sign a Petition
I will sign a petition in support of a plastic-related initiative in my state/province.
Community
Share My Actions
I will make my environmental actions visible by posting to my social media networks.
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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James Ravenscroft 7/31/2019 2:11 PMAs we wrap up this month of Plastic-free living I confeee I have not always succeeded. But I am more conscious of my choices. Now if I can just remember to always bring a bag with me to pick up trash. That is definitely one thing I will keep on doing. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLifestyle Natural FibersWhat are the benefits (to people, animals, and the environment) of purchasing clothes made with natural fibers?
James Ravenscroft 7/31/2019 2:05 PMIt is better to go all natural fibres and not just for the good of the oceans and other waterways. Plastics in fibres end up as microplastics and are breathed in by human and non-human animals. Plus you don't want to forget about the people working with plastic fibres, many of whom are in developing countries with less robust labour safety laws. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONPersonal Care Pearly WhitesCurrently most of the packaging for toothpaste is plastic. How can you advocate for more alternatives through your purchasing power and influence in community?
James Ravenscroft 7/22/2019 6:18 AMI find this challenge daunting. In my search for plastic free toothpaste I found that even in heakth food stores the organic or alternative products were still mostly plastic. Only in a specifically eco-focused store could I find plastic free but the cost is high. I am left with making my own. The only real change will come by targeting the toothpaste companies. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Share My ActionsIn what ways is social media an effective tool for sharing your values?
James Ravenscroft 7/22/2019 6:08 AMI find that social media is a good way to share the issues that are important to me and to find others who are also engaged in action. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Skip the StrawHave you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.
James Ravenscroft 7/19/2019 9:37 PMI have noticed more people skipping straws. I am also struck how much people are habit bound, concerned by how paper straws don't last. Having a straw last has been our problem. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLifestyle Watch a DocumentaryWhich documentary did you choose to watch? What did you learn?
James Ravenscroft 7/19/2019 9:30 PMWatching a TED talk about social plastics was enlightening. Who knew you could link helping people around the world and the world itself. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Sign a PetitionWhat is a plastic-related issue in your state/province?
James Ravenscroft 7/15/2019 4:59 AMAs I pick up litter when I walk outside, it is clear that single use plastics are a big issue. The number of plastic bottles, plastic bags, cutlery, etc. I pick up is quite staggering. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONPets All Natural Pet ToysIn what ways is supplying your pet with all natural pet toys better for your pet, better for you, and better for the environment?
James Ravenscroft 7/06/2019 10:22 AMThis one is a challenge because we have items that we bought previously that are plastic. Throwing them out defeats the purpose so we focus on buying bulk treats put in paper bags and not buying plastic toys in the future. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Use Reusable ContainersHow can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?
James Ravenscroft 7/06/2019 10:19 AMWe like to use beeswax-cloth wraps that we got from a company in Toronto. They market bags too and even a bamboo cutlery set. Makes cutting down on single use much easier. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Plant a GardenBesides having access to fresh herbs and vegetables, what benefits will you see from growing your own garden?
James Ravenscroft 7/05/2019 3:17 AMI have loved gardening since I was small. For me, hands in soil is a way of connecting to my Source. It is calming and puts me in touch with what is important in life - life itself.