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October 14 - October 28, 2016
Joann Held's avatar

Joann Held

NJDEP EcoLogicals

"Recycling is Good, but Reduce and Reuse are so much better. "

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 386 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    9.0
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    120
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    12
    hours
    volunteered
  • UP TO
    28
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    9.0
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    6.9
    pounds
    waste composted

Joann'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 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Choose a Carbon Offset

If buying a plane ticket, I will also buy a carbon offset.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

De-Clutter my Home

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Eat Meatless Meals

I will enjoy 2 meatless meal(s) per day.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Buy from a Farmers Market

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Recycle all Recyclable Materials

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

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Compost Food Waste

I will avoid sending .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill per day.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Volunteer in my Community

I will volunteer 12 hour(s) in my community.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Set up Recycling

I will set up a recycling center at my workplace or school.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Create Your Own Action

Metal Recycling

Send waste that is metallic to a recycler instead of throwing it in the trash. I have a broken file cabinet, lawn sign supports, a frying pan lid and lots of other things sitting in my basement that could be recycled. They just can't go into my curbside recycling bin.

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?


  • Joann Held's avatar
    Joann Held 10/28/2016 5:12 PM
    Spent most of today working on my volunteer activities for the Farmers Market, Green Team, League of Women Voters, and as Liturgy Coordinator at my Church.  I have definitely reached my 12 hour goal for the last 2 weeks and then some.

    • Andy Opperman's avatar
      Andy Opperman 10/28/2016 8:27 PM
      Joann, it's been fun & enlightening following your posts!  Retirement life certainly has its own challenges.  Look forward to hearing more of your exploits.

  • Joann Held's avatar
    Joann Held 10/28/2016 5:08 PM
    Tomorrow we are running our monthly recycling collection at the Pennington Farmers Market.  We collect #5 Plastic, styrofoam egg cartons, wine corks, dental care products, plastic bags & film, and CDs/DVDs.  None of these items are allowed in curbside recycling in Mercer County. All materials are taken to companies for recycling, often being made into long-lasting products.

    • Andy Opperman's avatar
      Andy Opperman 10/28/2016 8:30 PM
      Joann, may I save up CDs & DVDs & get them to you on occasion (or can you let me know of a source of disposal)?  Also, do you have an outlet for plastic bottle caps?   Thanks!

  • Joann Held's avatar
    Joann Held 10/28/2016 5:04 PM
    Just bought carbon offsets for all of my plane travel this year from Native Energy.

  • Joann Held's avatar
    Joann Held 10/27/2016 7:57 PM
    I have a friend who recycles metal, so today I called him to collect a big pile of metal items that could have gone into the landfill. Instead they will be melted down and turned into something new.

  • Joann Held's avatar
    Joann Held 10/19/2016 6:39 PM
    Continuing my "Get this stuff out of my house!" theme, I delivered a bag of clothing to the Rescue Mission collection box in town (they will sell it in their Trenton store), and two bags of textiles to the Spin Green boxes at our local Elementary School. Spin Green can recycle almost anything - socks with holes, torn sheets, shoes, you name it. http://www.spingreen.com

  • Joann Held's avatar
    Joann Held 10/18/2016 8:08 PM
    Spent 1.5 hours at a League of Women Voters Board meeting today, planning our local municipal candidates forum.

  • Joann Held's avatar
    Joann Held 10/18/2016 8:07 PM
    We put out 3 barrels of recycling for bi-weekly curbside pickup today.  That compares to about 1 barrel of regular trash every two.  That's pretty good, but I can't help thinking we're generating a little too much paper.

  • Joann Held's avatar
    Joann Held 10/17/2016 5:46 PM
    I am a member of the Site Remedial Professional Licensing Board, an all volunteer Board.  Today i attended a 90 minute meeting for one of my committees followed by a 3 hour board meeting.  Add 4.5 hours toward my volunteer goal!

  • Joann Held's avatar
    Joann Held 10/16/2016 2:27 PM
    Sunday is Laundry day here, and I am happy to be using my front loading high efficiency washer which uses a tiny amount of water and is also energy efficient. And by doing all the Laundry once a week it is easier to accumulate some full loads.

    • Carey  Compton's avatar
      Carey Compton 10/16/2016 4:07 PM
      Hey Joann great job on the wash.  We use a front high EE washer as well but I am only down to 3-4 loads per week.  Will have to work on that but it's difficult with a dog.  

  • Joann Held's avatar
    Joann Held 10/15/2016 6:08 PM
    I spent the morning at our Pennington Farmers Market.  I'm on the volunteer Board and spend every possible Saturday there helping with setup and cleanup, backing up the Manager, and buying fresh vegetables and other goodies from our local farmers and crafts people. 4 more volunteer hours toward my goal.