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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?


  • Lucas Toh's avatar
    Lucas Toh 7/31/2019 11:40 AM
    I went camping this past weekend, and found that it was impossible to avoid (and even reduce) plastic use while doing so. For hygiene and  storage reasons, we went for a lot of items in plastic packaging (from insect repellent to food items to bagged ice). Has anyone had successful plastic-free/alternative experiences to share or similar problems from camping? 

    • Marie Vallee's avatar
      Marie Vallee 7/31/2019 12:03 PM
      Hi Lucas, this is challenging indeed! We decided to buy a small "car-fridge" to reduce/avoid buying bagged ice. It is plugged in the car, so every-time the car motor is on, the car fridge cools down. Another trick is to freeze big bottles of water prior to the camping trip so that you can use it as ice in the first part of the trip (really big bottles can take up to several days to melt completely), and as water to drink in the second part of your trip. Just be careful because non-plastic bottles are more tricky to freeze without damaging them because of the water volume increase. Our last trick is to limit food that requires to be maintain at a low temperature. For instance we bring more bread or cereals and less yogurt or ham. I hope this helps!

    • Lucas Toh's avatar
      Lucas Toh 7/31/2019 12:12 PM
      Oh those are great tips. I like using big bottles of water to cool and then drink - that's really smart. We had used refreezable ice packs, but these do not stay frozen super long and we had to top it off with ice since it was an extended trip. Thanks!

  • Cathy Donn's avatar
    Cathy Donn 7/31/2019 11:27 AM
    I feel pretty good about my challenge.  I've even persuaded other family members to give it a try.  Still some trouble with plastic storage bags at home.  I need to get some different-sized containers to help eliminate the need for the plastic storage bags.  

  • Cathy Donn's avatar
    Cathy Donn 7/29/2019 3:53 AM
    Refused plastic drinking straws while at a restaurant. Did not place vegetables in plastic bags at grocery store.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Use Reusable Containers
    How can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?

    Kristin Snyder's avatar
    Kristin Snyder 7/28/2019 10:18 AM
    I always (or almost always) carry my reusable bag strapped to my backpack and a mesh bag or two for shopping produce. At work I have a few plastic containers with lids. But am still to embarrassed to take my own containers w me when I go out to get lunch.

    • Marie Vallee's avatar
      Marie Vallee 7/31/2019 11:53 AM
      Yes, I find it challenging too, do you think that having a list of "bring your own container"-friendly food trucks and restaurants around WRI office could help?

  • Kristin Snyder's avatar
    Kristin Snyder 7/28/2019 10:15 AM
    This is a good article from Sierra Club about the US recycling industry: https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2019-4-july-august/feature/us-recycling-system-garbage

  • Joyce Javillonar's avatar
    Joyce Javillonar 7/25/2019 8:41 AM
    We've adopted a community garden plot and have been getting our salad staples from it this year. It's great to pick the produce ourselves and not have to buy pre-packaged stuff from the store (the squash is from the seed swap last Feb).
     

    • Marie Vallee's avatar
      Marie Vallee 7/31/2019 11:55 AM
      Seeing this beautiful squash grown from the seeds you got at the seeds swap is so rewarding! Thanks for sharing this!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Estimate Your Plastic Consumption and Go #PlasticNeutral
    What did you find out about your plastic consumption by using the calculator? What did or didn't surprise you?

    Aleksandra Arcipowska's avatar
    Aleksandra Arcipowska 7/22/2019 1:33 PM
    I thought I am doing great, but it is over 38kg of plastic every year :o 

  • Aleksandra Arcipowska's avatar
    Aleksandra Arcipowska 7/22/2019 8:25 AM
    I am not sure how many of your signed Greenpeace petition re: plastic packaging in Trader Joes! It did work:
    https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/victories/trader-joes-will-cut-1-million-pounds-of-plastic-from-stores/

  • Aleksandra Arcipowska's avatar
    Aleksandra Arcipowska 7/22/2019 8:15 AM
    Another great example from Warsaw (PL); This cafe gives you 2PLN (20%) discount if you come with your own (reusable) mug;  Wonderful & delicious!  

  • Shengyin Xu's avatar
    Shengyin Xu 7/18/2019 2:34 PM
    WRI had a plastic free social hour today! participants suggested some stores that help reduce single use plastics in packaging, including: 
    • www.packagefreeshop.com (household, beauty, etc)
    • www.lushusa.com (beauty products)
    • www.takecareshopdc.com (beauty products)
    • www.loopstore.com (groceries, beauty, household, etc)
    Thanks to those that joined us today!