Skip to main content
October 14 - October 28, 2016
Taylor Nieman's avatar

Taylor Nieman

MHCC Sustainable Saints

"It is my mission to raise awareness on how every little bit counts."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 800 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    3.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    18
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    480
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    9.0
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    16
    miles
    traveled by bus
  • UP TO
    120
    minutes
    of additional sleep
  • UP TO
    30
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    260
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    120
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    36
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    2.9
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    0.8
    pounds of paper
    have been saved

Taylor's actions

Health

Join A Quit-Smoking Program

I will join a smoking cessation program and post my daily progress on my EcoChallenge feed.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Start Composting

I will start a compost collection at home, work, or school.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Go Get a Check Up

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Turn it off

I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Take Control

Develop a plan with my medical professionals to achieve my best health and live my life to the fullest.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Host a House Party

I will host a house party to watch a movie or present a guest speaker on an issue that matters to me.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Connect with a Nonprofit

I will connect with a local nonprofit, environmental or otherwise, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Switch to Cold Water

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of C02 over the course of the next year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Volunteer in my Community

I will volunteer 20 hour(s) in my community.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Talk to my Friends

I will decide which social or environmental issue in my community is most important to me and tell 1 friends per day about the issue.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Happiness

I will write down three things every day for two weeks that I am grateful for or send one email every day thanking or praising someone.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Use Reusable Bottles

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Use Public Transit

I will use public transit 8 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to -0.2 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

5-Minute Showers

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Just Drive Less

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a walk each day.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Less Screen Time

I will replace 30 minute(s) of screen time per day with other activities.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Weekly Meal Planning

I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Eat Meatless Meals

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) per day.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a 20-minute walk outside each day.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Limit Social Media

I will limit my social media use to once per day.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Containers

I will only use reusable containers for my lunches at work or school.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Online Energy Audit

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Set up Recycling

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset

I will enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset each day.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Simplicity

Work-Life Balance

I will not work more than 8 hour days each day.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Healthy Sleep

I will commit to getting 30 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Install a Toilet Tank Bank

I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water per day.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Ditch the Lawn

I will replace my lawn with a drought-tolerant landscape and save water, money, and time cutting the grass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Adjust the Thermostat

I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Use Muscle Power

I will only use muscle-powered transportation.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Choose Clean/Renewable Energy

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Go by Bike

I will commute by bike 4 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to 2.56 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Leave No Trace

I will practice the seven principles of leave no trace when doing nature activities alone or with family and friends.

COMPLETED 3
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 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Go Paperless

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and/or unsubscribing from catalogs.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Practice Gratitude for Earth

I will spend 10 minute(s) per day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and the nature surrounding me.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Personal Waste Audit

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash with me to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Water

Insulate Water Pipes and Water Heater

I will avoid wasting water while waiting for the shower or sink to heat up.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Energy

Power Down the Computer

I will power down my computer and monitor when not using it for more than 2 hours, saving up to (1.1) lbs of CO2 per day that I do this.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Disconnect from Email

I will disconnect from my email when not at work.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Watch a Documentary

I will watch a documentary film about food with family and friends and talk about what we learned.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Fix Leaky Faucets

I will fix faucets that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet per day.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Exercise Daily

I will exercise daily for 30 minute(s) per day for two weeks.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Energy

Consider Switching to an Electric Vehicle

Research or test drive an electric car or bike.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Track my Purchases

I will maintain a record of all my purchases.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Heat and Cool Naturally

I will naturally heat and cool my house, office, or dorm room by opening or closing my windows, curtains, and blinds, and by using fans.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Explore my Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Conserve Toilet Water

I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Avoid Refined Sugar

I will adopt a diet free of refined sugars, which eliminates sweetened beverages, candy, and processed foods.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Needs vs. Wants

I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Avoid Disposables

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

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 30 minute(s) per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

De-Clutter my Home

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Simplicity

Buy Only What I Need

I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Choose Two-Sided Printing

I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper per day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided at work.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Buy Food and Water Only

I will not purchase anything but food and water.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Buy in Bulk

I will only purchase bulk food items and avoid all single-package items.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

More Fruits And Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 1 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Create Your Own Action

Mindfulness

I will take 5 minutes everyday to breath, by mindful, and relax my mind.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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?


  • Taylor Nieman's avatar
    Taylor Nieman 10/28/2016 8:52 PM
    Last day of the challenge. Going to still keep it all up. Hopefully can start exercising and riding my bike to school more. I am so grateful for my strong body, my wonderful doctors, and my opportunity to go to college. 

  • Taylor Nieman's avatar
    Taylor Nieman 10/28/2016 10:14 AM
    Been super on top of  taking the bus all week and riding my bike. Only driven twice this week. 

  • Taylor Nieman's avatar
    Taylor Nieman 10/28/2016 10:13 AM
    Over a week without  smoking!

  • Taylor Nieman's avatar
    Taylor Nieman 10/23/2016 4:13 PM
    About to meal prep for the week. Lots of squash cooking is going to be happening. 

  • Taylor Nieman's avatar
    Taylor Nieman 10/23/2016 4:13 PM
    Saw a bunch of squirrels collecting nuts on my morning walk. So cute.

  • Taylor Nieman's avatar
    Taylor Nieman 10/20/2016 10:43 PM
    Today I am grateful for my loving partner, my sweet dog Cinder, and my cozy home. 

  • Taylor Nieman's avatar
    Taylor Nieman 10/20/2016 11:55 AM
    Using my own water bottle and coffee mug everyday. Saving  money and the planet. 

  • Taylor Nieman's avatar
    Taylor Nieman 10/19/2016 12:07 PM
    Day three free of smoking.

  • Taylor Nieman's avatar
    Taylor Nieman 10/17/2016 4:39 PM
    I emailed my mom today letting her know how much I care about here today to complete one of my challenges. It made me realize how much praise the people in my life deserve. I really liked that challenge and I think I am going to carry that one past the two weeks. 

  • Taylor Nieman's avatar
    Taylor Nieman 10/17/2016 9:59 AM
    Made my own toothpaste this weekend to reduce waste. Only three simple  ingredients. Coconut oil, baking soda and  peppermint oil.