I think my biggest success from this challenge came right near the end of the month. I took advantage of the back-to-school sales that stores were featuring and nabbed myself a few basic pencil pouches. I brought them home and put a few pieces of my own silverware inside so I can take one to work and leave one in my car. Voila, utensils at the ready for whatever meals may come and less plastic waste to stress about!

I’ve learned so much during this challenge and don’t plan on stopping here. I plan on continuing this new lifestyle and hope to get others on board with me!

SIGH, I signed up to do this but never really figured out how to record my progress. I just returned from a "grandma trip" with my 4 oldest (,8,.9,11,13) grandchildren to the St. Louis Arch and City Museum. We were gone 5 days and collected as much of our disposable plastic as possible. I was dismayed by the bulk of it. It will go into our recycle at home. 
The children were not allowed to have lids or straws with any fountain drinks. It is a small thing but I wish more people would start refusing these unnecessary ocean-foulers. 
At the Riverboat Cruise on the Mississippi we saw a relatively small jam of flotsam from the recent flooding. I was again dismayed by the amount of plastic litter. 

So my husband and I sat down to watch Minimalism—one of the recommended documentaries (and the only one I could find on Netflix). It’s an interesting idea, of course. The idea of minimalism has already swept much of the nation by storm, presumably because of this very show.

I, personally, couldn’t imagine myself living a minimalistic life like those depicted—I enjoy my trinkets and my various artwork too much—but I can certainly get behind the idea of loving every item you own and ensuring that it has a place. “Every shirt is my favorite shirt,” one of the men says at one point. Making your belongings last is just another way to be more eco-friendly.

Some Green Team members and I joined up last night for another grain bag sewing party! We take the used bags of woven plastic that the zoo has emptied, cut and resew some pieces together, and end up with a multi-purpose bag! Not only does it keep the woven plastic out of landfills, but it can be used in place of single-use plastic bags for grocery shopping or carrying whatever suits you. Plus, most of them have animal pictures! It's a win-win-win, really.

Recycling tissue paper from a friends bday party.

I’m late to the party, but glad I finally made it. Go team Penguin!

One of my biggest plastic issues is bagged lettuce. Today I went to the store and bought whole heads of romaine and will cut them myself. A little more effort and I saved a piece of single use plastic.

Shared the event to Facebook! Here's hoping we get some more team members from it. Good luck, everybody! Go Penguins!

My actions have been chosen! I'm ready