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October 14 - October 28, 2016
Charlotte Becker's avatar

Charlotte Becker

First Unitarian Church of Portland

"I am accountable for my actions and strive to be a responsible steward of the natural environment through reuse, recycling and waste prevention."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 301 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    112
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    13
    hours
    volunteered
  • UP TO
    280
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    195
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    27
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill

Charlotte's actions

Water

Brush My Teeth Without Running Water

I will save up to 8 gallons (30 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Sign a Petition

I will sign a petition in support of an environmental or social initiative in my state.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Track my Purchases

I will maintain a record of all my purchases.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Eliminate Toxic Plastics

I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Exercise Daily

I will exercise daily for 20 minute(s) per day for two weeks.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Avoid Disposables

I will not use any disposable plates, cups, or cutlery.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Recycle all Recyclable Materials

I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

De-Clutter my Home

I will de-clutter, clean, and donate or recycle unneeded items in my home.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Find Local Recycling Depots

I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Volunteer in my Community

I will volunteer 13 hour(s) in my community.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 15 minute(s) per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Create Your Own Action

Get a flu shot

I will get a flu shot to protect my health, particularly because I and my partner are older than 65. If I should get the flu anyway, I pledge to stay home to get well and so as not to expose others to the virus.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

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?


  • Charlotte Becker's avatar
    Charlotte Becker 10/28/2016 11:56 PM
    To celebrate my aunt's 90th birthday, we have assembled lots of photos to display at the party and later include in a memory book. My cousin thought it would be neat to hang pictures from clothes pins in chicken wire frames. You can buy them pre-made. I decided to try to make my own. Found 2 pretty good wooden picture frames at the thrift store where I volunteer. Spent $2 on them and $4.29 on a small roll of chicken wire. I plan to repaint the frames and staple the chicken wire to the back. I already have the paint, so this is going to be very thrifty. I've never done this before -  we'll see how it turns out. The Eco-Challenge has been fun. I'm pleased I was asked to join by my good friend, Sherry Hall.

  • Charlotte Becker's avatar
    Charlotte Becker 10/28/2016 8:53 AM
    Today is my day to volunteer at Chase Me Again, the local nonprofit that accepts donations for resale. This has been a rewarding experience, which I plan to continue. I have met many interesting people and have been exposed to different points of view, in addition to helping a great organization in its work to give back to the community and help homeless individuals and families.

  • Charlotte Becker's avatar
    Charlotte Becker 10/27/2016 11:49 PM
    Participated in a local art committee meeting with a rep from City of Gresham. Yes. Gresham really does support the arts! We're excited about the possibilities for the future. Our historic downtown is pretty cool. And there's more creativity where that came from. 

  • Charlotte Becker's avatar
    Charlotte Becker 10/27/2016 12:12 AM
    I found the greatest stainless steel bottle that keeps cold stuff cold for 24 hours and hot stuff hot for 12 hours. It fits in the cup holder of my car, and I can take it anywhere. Makes it easy to not buy plastic bottles of water. I even have it at my bedside at night with ice. The ice is still there in the morning. Love it.

  • Charlotte Becker's avatar
    Charlotte Becker 10/26/2016 12:30 AM
    It's a slow process, but I am going through boxes of old photos, which have been stored somewhere in one or more closets over the past 30 years. Many were passed along to me when my mother died, so lots of relatives. Some of whom I have never known. I have been sorting them into piles, based on which family member they are most closely related to. The plan is to give them to the respective family members when I see them  during the week of my aunt's 90th birthday. They may want them for scrapbooks or to pass on to their kids. Keeping them in my closet is of no benefit to anyone. It has taken me many years to get into this project. Now that I have retired, I feel a sense of urgency to get it done. I have already tackled portions of the garage, recycling as much as possible and donating what can be donated. It feels good to get things to people who can use them or who will treasure them.

  • Charlotte Becker's avatar
    Charlotte Becker 10/22/2016 11:56 PM
    This was such a beautiful day to be outside enjoying the fall weather. Visited a couple of farm stands and watched kids lugging their perfect pumpkins home from Olsen Farms near Damascus. Also saw some zombies, complete with Zombie Patrol escorts having a little early Halloween fun in downtown Gresham. Never know what you'll see out here in East Multnomah County. Forget bring my reusable bag to the grocery store, so I bought another. If anyone needs a reusable bag or 2, let me know. I have been collecting them for years. Even when it's sitting right next to me on the seat, I end up inside the store without the bag. 

  • Charlotte Becker's avatar
    Charlotte Becker 10/22/2016 12:36 AM
    Volunteered 5.5 hours today at the local thrift store, sorting incoming donations. Was busy the whole time. Did not sit down once. Got more than 8000 steps simply by doing this activity; sorted out as much recyclable paper, cardboard and metal as possible and took to recycling drop box on site. Met with friends later outdoors for some lively conversation - before it started to rain. Had a great time!

  • Charlotte Becker's avatar
    Charlotte Becker 10/19/2016 6:38 PM
    Today I worked with another person from my community on a grant which provide a benefit to city in which I live. Additionally, I learned more about this person and had good time sharing thoughts about the current political climate.

  • Charlotte Becker's avatar
    Charlotte Becker 10/18/2016 8:13 PM
    Took a nice long walk today with a good friend. It was great to see the sun after soooo much rain. The rain is vital, but it's nice to see the sunshine. It limits the spirits. Bought a ginger ale in a glass bottle and recycled the bottle in the appropriate bin at New Seasons. Really had a good day. Very simple. 

    • Charlotte Becker's avatar
      Charlotte Becker 10/18/2016 8:15 PM
      I meant to say it "lifts" the spirits. Think I need a nap after all the exercise. I also did 40 minutes of yoga this am to start the day. Plan to attend yoga class tomorrow. Used reusable shopping bag when purchasing a few items at the store. Was very aware of my spending.

  • Charlotte Becker's avatar
    Charlotte Becker 10/16/2016 12:01 AM
    Walked in the woods today before the winds came. Took pictures of the fall colors.