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
FoodSkip the Straw
Have you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.
My reflection is this. It can be simple to reduce the plastic in my life and developing new habits is a challenge. I would like to preface my following remarks by saying that it important for all of us to be conscious of what we consume, what we buy and use. However, as individuals we are not responsible alone for global climate disaster. The solution to environmental degradation has to come form an institutional level. The military and corporate sectors are huge polluters. The solution is a collective solution that is a threat to Military and Corporate behavior without consequences such as regulation and meaningful punishment for environmental and economic crimes. While we as individuals stop using disposable razors and plastic produce bags, environmental regulations is being rolled back and threatens our air and water quality and the very existence of pollinators that are essential to our food supply. Our individual actions are important, make no mistake. And our collective action to resist institutional environmental crimes is essential to our survival as a species. Let us not become complacent because we take a cotton grocery bag to the supermarket.
Completing the Plastic Free Eco challenge was eye-opening and frustrating. Knowing ways in which I myself can help to eliminate waste is positive, but walking into a store and examining the choices many manufacturers make with regard to packaging is disheartening. Perhaps next year the challenge will include reaching out to companies that bottle and package exclusively using plastic and urging them to invest in more responsible materials.
With today being the last they have the challenge I realize that there are still a few more places that I can try to eliminate the use of plastic in my life. I've become more aware of products I order for work and how they are packaged. I dislike single-use plastic and plastics in general said this past month has made me a little bit more aware of where plastic is in my life and has me thinking on ways to get around it.
The cleaning supplies party went great - we made a general cleaner, a citrus cleaner, laundry detergent, and dish soap... and we had a lot of laughs. Thanks #PlasticFreeEcochallenge and ACHS for inspiring me to host these get-togethers. I'm not done, next we're going to make flower essences!he
LIMPIADOR GENERAL (pisos y mesadas) 9 partes de agua y 1 de vinagre + 1 gota de aceite esencial por cada litro
Para los pisos le estoy poniendo limon y citronella y realmente es eficaz además para mosquitos y animales rastreros
Para el de mesadas o multiusos le pongo tea tree y 1/4 de cucharada de bicarbonato (queda tipo removedor de grasa + antibactericida
Para el hinodoro: cambio dilusion: 7 partes de agua en 3 de vinagre + 2 cucharadas de bicarbonato + A.C. de tea tree y zacate limon (que huelen increible juntos ya que la nota alta del tea tree hace perdurar el aroma del limón )
This month has been so inspiring! Here's the blog of a woman that did the plastic free ecochallenge in 2012 who has gone on to be a zero waste crusader with tons of great ideas and recipes: https://treadingmyownpath.com/plastic-free/
I've invited friends over to make cleaning products together on July 30th, committed to 'squeezing it in' before the month ends! For me, a big difference between buying and making one's own products is the time factor. I'm already sold on the idea of avoid single use plastics and creating non-toxic alternatives, the biggest challenge for me is actually carving out time to JUST DO IT! Ironically, the actual time spent on making cleaning products and personal care products and canning vegetable ends up being so much fun.
One recipe I've seen calls for citrus peels. I don't have a big supply but will try to gather some before July 30th. Does anyone else have favorite recipes to share?
My challenge is going great so far! I look forward to riding my bike to work because it wakes me up in the morning and I feel challenged. I also ride a total of 8 miles a day which is great cardio.
Scott Stuart 8/01/2019 11:51 AMMy reflection is this. It can be simple to reduce the plastic in my life and developing new habits is a challenge. I would like to preface my following remarks by saying that it important for all of us to be conscious of what we consume, what we buy and use.
Lisa Warman 7/31/2019 1:45 PMCompleting the Plastic Free Eco challenge was eye-opening and frustrating. Knowing ways in which I myself can help to eliminate waste is positive, but walking into a store and examining the choices many manufacturers make with regard to packaging is disheartening. Perhaps next year the challenge will include reaching out to companies that bottle and package exclusively using plastic and urging them to invest in more responsible materials.
Jacqui McGrath 7/31/2019 3:01 PMIt's mind boggling to look at the amount of filling the aisles, isn't it?!! I agree that it's a good idea to put pressure on manufacturers to become more responsible. Regulations and policies are needed, too, I'm afraid. I'm eager to see how it goes for Costa Rica as they lead the way in becoming "plastic free" in 2021 - https://educateinspirechange.org/nature/costa-rica-plans-to-be-the-first-plastic-free-and-carbon-free-country-in-the-world-by-2021/
Michael Ford 7/31/2019 12:03 PMWith today being the last they have the challenge I realize that there are still a few more places that I can try to eliminate the use of plastic in my life. I've become more aware of products I order for work and how they are packaged. I dislike single-use plastic and plastics in general said this past month has made me a little bit more aware of where plastic is in my life and has me thinking on ways to get around it.
Susan Marcus 7/29/2019 3:06 PMLook at this: https://www.traderjoes.com/announcement/packaging-improvements-update THIS IS SO AWESOME!!!
Ashley Ehmig 7/25/2019 11:51 AMMy challenge is going great so far! I look forward to riding my bike to work because it wakes me up in the morning and I feel challenged. I also ride a total of 8 miles a day which is great cardio.
