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October 14 - October 28, 2016
Shannon Tocchini's avatar

Shannon Tocchini

Port of Portland

"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible - Frank Zappa"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,016 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    480
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    12
    hours
    volunteered
  • UP TO
    10
    lightbulbs
    replaced
  • UP TO
    45
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed

Shannon's actions

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

De-Clutter my Home

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

COMPLETED 4
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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

5-Minute Showers

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

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 10 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Consider Switching to an Electric Vehicle

Research or test drive an electric car or bike.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Explore my Area

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Smart Seafood Choices

I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Food

Try a New Way to Prep

I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Eat Meatless Meals

I will enjoy 3 meatless meal(s) per day.

COMPLETED 15
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

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

Energy

Disable Screen Savers

I will disable screen savers and will put the computer to sleep instead, saving up to 28% % more energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Volunteer in my Community

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Work from Home

I will work from home 2 day(s) to avoid my commute's carbon output.

COMPLETED
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 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 9
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

Simplicity

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a walk each day.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Create Your Own Action

Environmental and health advocacy

Write at least one manufacturer and one retail store regarding removal of products carrying non-sustainable palm oil.

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?


  • Shannon Tocchini's avatar
    Shannon Tocchini 10/28/2016 3:55 PM
    My main goal for this eco-challenge was to have 3 meatless meals a day, not because I'm a huge meat eater, but recognizing that meat tends to be a component of many of my meals.  This was indeed a challenge...  Especially when my husband woke up on the weekends to fry up some really yummy smelling pepper bacon for the rest of the family and when those beautiful chicken liver pate appetizers traipsed past me at SOLVE's Green Gala event.  I was successful at meeting this three no-meat meals per day challenge.  It's a heart warming thought and perhaps an aspirational goal, but I'd be lying if I said that meat was now entirely gone from my life for good.  Another goal I set for myself was to do at least one action in each category (thank goodness for the one-time challenges).  In particular, it is unlikely I would have got around to mulching during these two weeks - even though I had the materials and tools on hand, and I wouldn't have sought out a new trail to hike in a nearby park (the weather has not been extra motivating either).   It was also a motivator to get off my duff and write some letters to manufacturers and grocers about producing/carrying products with palm oil and also to close the loop on some volunteer work. Thanks Lisa Appel for setting up the Port team, Port HR for tying the actions to internal wellness goals, and Northwest Earth Institute for putting on a fun event.

  • Shannon Tocchini's avatar
    Shannon Tocchini 10/28/2016 9:02 AM
    Goal:  Connecting with a nonprofit organization...   I facilitated implementation of Junior Achievement at Hope Chinese Charter School this year.  First through fifth grade classes will each experience a fantastic grade-specific five-part series on economics and community.  I will be volunteering for the fifth grade class delivery...

  • Shannon Tocchini's avatar
    Shannon Tocchini 10/27/2016 1:01 PM
    I disabled screen savers on the three computers at home.  At work, I tried to remove the screen saver or set the screen to go blank faster, but unfortunately found out that the screen savers are considered a "security requirement" so instead I am developing a habit of turning off my monitor when I step away.

  • Shannon Tocchini's avatar
    Shannon Tocchini 10/26/2016 1:03 PM
    I downloaded the Seafood Watch App - pretty cool tool!  Now the waiters are going to love me when I give them the in-depth quiz on seafood sourcing...  A definite upgrade from the paper card in the wallet.

    • Shannon Tocchini's avatar
      Shannon Tocchini 10/28/2016 10:10 AM
      Cool!  Thanks for the heads up!

    • Courtney Rust's avatar
      Courtney Rust 10/27/2016 1:28 PM
      Shannon there is a great funny Stuff You Should Know podcast called Fish Fraud they just did recently you should check out!

  • Shannon Tocchini's avatar
    Shannon Tocchini 10/26/2016 12:46 PM
    I have an electronics recycling shop within a mile of my house!  Goodbye old electronic stuff!

  • Shannon Tocchini's avatar
    Shannon Tocchini 10/25/2016 10:00 AM
    Volunteered at Hope Chinese Charter School over the course of these two weeks...

  • Shannon Tocchini's avatar
    Shannon Tocchini 10/24/2016 11:31 AM
    Changed 10 more light bulbs to LED over the weekend... Now what to do with those CFLs that still work (though not as brilliantly)....

    • Shannon Tocchini's avatar
      Shannon Tocchini 10/25/2016 10:52 AM
      Thanks! They still work, so I need to find another spot to use them through their lifespan before they get recycled...  Just in spots where the lights are turned on less...  I'd already converted most of our bulbs to CFL (many years ago) before LED technology improved and flourished...  They have a long life, so it seems like a waste to recycle if they are still functioning...

    • Kristen Garrison's avatar
      Kristen Garrison 10/24/2016 11:32 AM
      Lowes can recycle them for you :)

  • Shannon Tocchini's avatar
    Shannon Tocchini 10/23/2016 1:15 PM
    Took advantage of no rain for some mulching action...

  • Shannon Tocchini's avatar
    Shannon Tocchini 10/22/2016 8:30 PM
    Decluttering weekend!

  • Shannon Tocchini's avatar
    Shannon Tocchini 10/21/2016 9:02 AM
    Another day, another five minute shower...