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

Taylor's actions

Waste

Set up Recycling

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Simplicity

Limit Social Media

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

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

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

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Eat Meatless Meals

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

COMPLETED 9
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

Simplicity

Less Screen Time

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

COMPLETED 4
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

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a walk each day.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

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

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Just Drive Less

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

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

5-Minute Showers

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

COMPLETED 8
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

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

Community

Volunteer in my Community

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

UNCOMPLETED
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

Health

Go Get a Check Up

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Start Composting

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Waste

Buy Food and Water Only

I will not purchase anything but food and water.

COMPLETED 5
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

Waste

Buy in Bulk

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

COMPLETED 0
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

Simplicity

Buy Only What I Need

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

COMPLETED 8
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

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

Waste

Avoid Disposables

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

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Needs vs. Wants

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

COMPLETED 9
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

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

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 7
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

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

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

Simplicity

Track my Purchases

I will maintain a record of all my purchases.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Consider Switching to an Electric Vehicle

Research or test drive an electric car or bike.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Exercise Daily

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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

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

Simplicity

Disconnect from Email

I will disconnect from my email when not at work.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Water

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

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

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

Energy

Choose Clean/Renewable Energy

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Create Your Own Action

Mindfulness

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Use Muscle Power

I will only use muscle-powered transportation.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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

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

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

Simplicity

Work-Life Balance

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

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Waste

Use Reusable Containers

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

COMPLETED 6
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

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

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

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

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

Energy

Turn it off

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

COMPLETED 8
DAILY 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

Participant Feed


  • 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.