Susan Spencer
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,826 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO3.2pounds of paperhave been saved
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UP TO375minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO8.0lightbulbsreplaced
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UP TO30disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO10poundswaste composted
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UP TO15organic mealsconsumed
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UP TO225minutesspent exercising
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UP TO473gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO15meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO30plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
Susan's actions
Water
Insulate Water Pipes and Water Heater
I will avoid wasting water while waiting for the shower or sink to heat up.
Waste
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
I will keep 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream.
Simplicity
De-Clutter my Home
I will de-clutter, clean, and donate or recycle unneeded items in my home.
Water
Fix Leaky Faucets
I will fix faucets that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet per day.
Simplicity
Go for a Daily Walk
I will take a walk each day.
Health
Eliminate Toxic Plastics
I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl.
Health
Audit Toxic Products In My Home
I will research toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.
Health
Go Get a Check Up
I will make an appointment for my annual physical.
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.
Energy
Consider Switching to an Electric Vehicle
Research or test drive an electric car or bike.
Energy
Upgrade my Windows
I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.
Water
Ditch the Lawn
I will replace my lawn with a drought-tolerant landscape and save water, money, and time cutting the grass.
Water
Eco-friendly Gardening
I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.
Energy
Choose LED Bulbs
I will replace 8 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
Food
Plant an Herb Garden
I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.
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.
Food
Buy from a Farmers Market
I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.
Nature
Spend Time Outside
I will replace 15 minute(s) per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.
Health
Exercise Daily
I will exercise daily for 15 minute(s) per day for two weeks.
Water
Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants
I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of plants and trees at my home or work.
Nature
Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset
I will enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset each day.
Food
Whole Food Diet
I will enjoy 1 meal(s) per day free of processed foods.
Waste
Start Composting
I will start a compost collection at home, work, or school.
Food
Eat Meatless Meals
I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) per day.
Simplicity
Eat Mindfully
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
Health
Avoid Refined Sugar
I will adopt a diet free of refined sugars, which eliminates sweetened beverages, candy, and processed foods.
Community
Sign a Petition
I will sign a petition in support of an environmental or social initiative in my state.
Waste
Use a Reusable Mug
I will avoid sending 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day.
Community
Join my Neighborhood Association
I will join my neighborhood association or another local group.
Waste
Recycle all Recyclable Materials
I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.
Health
Take Control
Develop a plan with my medical professionals to achieve my best health and live my life to the fullest.
Waste
Use Reusable Containers
I will only use reusable containers for my lunches at work or school.
Food
Choose Organic Ingredients
I will enjoy 1 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients per day.
Community
Share my Actions
I will make my environmental actions visible with a lawn sign or bumper sticker, or by posting to my social media networks.
Food
Smart Seafood Choices
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
Waste
Find Local Recycling Depots
I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.
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.
Food
Try a New Way to Prep
I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.
Waste
Avoid Disposables
I will not use any disposable plates, cups, or cutlery.
Simplicity
Have a Garage Sale
I will have a group garage sale with friends, family, and/or neighbors.
Water
5-Minute Showers
I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day.
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.
Transportation
Work from Home
I will work from home 1 day(s) to avoid my commute's carbon output.
Nature
Tend a Garden
I will tend to a garden each day, or work on starting one.
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.
Health
Support Pollution Reduction
I will learn about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.
Transportation
Just Drive Less
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips.
Energy
Replace Manual Thermostats
I will replace manual thermostats with programmable ones.
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.
Waste
Use Reusable Bags
I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.
Water
Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day.
Nature
Keep a Nature Journal
I will journal each day about my experiences in nature.
Simplicity
Limit Social Media
I will limit my social media use to once per day.
Health
Know My Health
I will get my Core Four Biometrics tests (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI).
Water
Collect Rain Water
I will create a rain garden or bioswale, or use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs.
Food
Watch a Documentary
I will watch a documentary film about food with family and friends and talk about what we learned.
Community
Express my Support
I will find out who in my state makes decisions that impact the environment and express my support for more environmental actions.
Nature
Join an Outdoor Project
I will join an outdoor restoration project in my community.
Transportation
Advocate for Greener Vehicles
I will assess the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on fuel-efficient vehicles.
Nature
Explore my Area
I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.
Energy
Turn it off
I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.
Water
Use Reusable Bottles
I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.
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.
Create Your Own Action
Build a worm bin
I have learned that about 1/3 of the methane produced in landfills is from decomposing food. I also learned how to build a worm bin to devour our leftover vegetable matter. Little bits add up!
Nature
Leave No Trace
I will practice the seven principles of leave no trace when doing nature activities alone or with family and friends.
Simplicity
Track my Purchases
I will maintain a record of all my purchases.
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.
Nature
Go for a Daily Walk
I will take a 10-minute walk outside each day.
Waste
Compost Food Waste
I will avoid sending .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill per day.
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?
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Susan Spencer 10/28/2016 4:24 PMOne of the funnest things about the EcoChallenge has been learning new things. I learned how to make a worm bin to compost my leftover fruits and vegetables. It was fun, cheap, and easy! I am planning on spreading the word. Did you know that about 1/3 of the methane produced in landfills comes from decomposing food? We may not all have the facilities to compost, but anyone can make and use a worm bin. Fun! And useful.