Kevin Zacharyasz
"Spreading some sustainable knowledge with my Green Thumb. Sustainability: Meeting the needs of the present without harming the needs of future generations."
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 2,961 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO920gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO128pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO3.2pounds of paperhave been saved
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UP TO30milestraveled by bike
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UP TO120milestraveled by foot
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UP TO1.0hourvolunteered
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UP TO2,715minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO3.0lightbulbsreplaced
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UP TO150conversationswith people
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UP TO30peoplehelped
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UP TO15organic mealsconsumed
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UP TO15meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO45zero-waste mealsconsumed
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UP TO15locally sourced mealsconsumed
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UP TO15outdoor mealsconsumed
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UP TO240plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO450minutesnot spent in front of a screen
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UP TO30disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO225minutesof additional sleep
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UP TO450minutesspent exercising
Kevin's actions
Food
Eat Meatless Meals
I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) per day.
Food
Choose Organic Ingredients
I will enjoy 1 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients per day.
Community
Talk to my Friends
I will decide which social or environmental issue in my community is most important to me and tell 10 friends per day about the issue.
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.
Energy
Choose LED Bulbs
I will replace 3 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
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
Conduct Virtual Meetings
I will not travel for meetings and will instead conduct them virtually.
Waste
Needs vs. Wants
I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.
Waste
Buy in Bulk
I will only purchase bulk food items and avoid all single-package items.
Transportation
Go by Bike
I will commute by bike 2 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to 1.37 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
Food
Visit a Local Farm
I will visit a nearby farm to pick my own fruits and veggies.
Nature
Leave No Trace
I will practice the seven principles of leave no trace when doing nature activities alone or with family and friends.
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.
Water
Use Reusable Bottles
I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 8 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.
Transportation
Work from Home
I will work from home 2 day(s) to avoid my commute's carbon output.
Food
Zero-Waste Cooking
I will cook 3 meal(s) with zero waste each day.
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.
Water
Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day.
Energy
Consider Switching to an Electric Vehicle
Research or test drive an electric car or bike.
Food
Buy from a Farmers Market
I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.
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 Containers
I will only use reusable containers for my lunches at work or school.
Food
Locally-Sourced Meals
I will source 1 meal(s) per day from local producers.
Simplicity
Track my Purchases
I will maintain a record of all my purchases.
Waste
Use Reusable Bags
I will not accept any disposable bags when making 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.
Health
Avoid Refined Sugar
I will adopt a diet free of refined sugars, which eliminates sweetened beverages, candy, and processed foods.
Water
5-Minute Showers
I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day.
Waste
Recycle all Recyclable Materials
I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.
Waste
Avoid Disposables
I will not use any disposable plates, cups, or cutlery.
Waste
Find Local Recycling Depots
I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.
Energy
Disable Screen Savers
I will disable screen savers and will put the computer to sleep instead, saving up to 28% % more energy.
Transportation
Just Drive Less
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips.
Simplicity
Go for a Daily Walk
I will take a walk each day.
Health
Healthy Sleep
I will commit to getting 15 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.
Nature
Spend Time Outside
I will replace 60 minute(s) per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.
Energy
Turn it off
I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.
Nature
Explore my Area
I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.
Waste
Visit a Waste Management Facility
I will visit a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about the waste stream.
Waste
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
I will keep 8 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream.
Simplicity
Work-Life Balance
I will not work more than 8 hour days each day.
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.
Nature
Eat Meals Outside
I will eat 1 meal(s) outside each day.
Water
Conserve Toilet Water
I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.
Simplicity
Less Screen Time
I will replace 30 minute(s) of screen time per day with other activities.
Simplicity
Buy Only What I Need
I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.
Simplicity
De-Clutter my Home
I will de-clutter, clean, and donate or recycle unneeded items in my home.
Simplicity
Disconnect from Email
I will disconnect from my email when not at work.
Health
Know My Health
I will get my Core Four Biometrics tests (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI).
Transportation
Car Share
I will sign up for a car-sharing service, or organize car sharing with my neighbors, to cut down on the number of vehicles on the road.
Health
Go Get a Check Up
I will make an appointment for my annual physical.
Food
Plant an Herb Garden
I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.
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.
Community
Join my Neighborhood Association
I will join my neighborhood association or another local group.
Nature
Have Meetings Outside
I will schedule 1 minute(s) of work meetings or phone calls outside each day.
Simplicity
Support a Sharing Economy
I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.
Food
Organize a Course
I will organize one of NWEI's discussion courses on food sustainability, 'Menu for the Future' or 'Hungry for Change', with my family, friends, coworkers, or classmates.
Health
Eliminate Toxic Plastics
I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl.
Energy
Use an Energy Meter
I will use an energy meter to monitor my energy use and identify opportunities to save power.
Waste
Set up Recycling
I will set up a recycling center at my workplace or school.
Water
Collect Rain Water
I will create a rain garden or bioswale, or use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs.
Waste
Become a Master Recyler/Composter
I will sign up for a Master Recycler/Composter program in my area.
Nature
Practice Gratitude for Earth
I will spend 60 minute(s) per day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and the nature surrounding me.
Simplicity
Have a Garage Sale
I will have a group garage sale with friends, family, and/or neighbors.
Energy
Upgrade Heating & Cooling Units
I will replace inefficient heating and cooling units.
Water
Ditch the Lawn
I will replace my lawn with a drought-tolerant landscape and save water, money, and time cutting the grass.
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
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.
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
Join an Outdoor Project
I will join an outdoor restoration project in my community.
Water
Eco-friendly Gardening
I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.
Health
More Fruits And Veggies
I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 2 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.
Community
Volunteer in my Community
I will volunteer 1 hour(s) in my community.
Water
Fix Leaky Faucets
I will fix faucets that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet per day.
Waste
Lobby for Reusables
I will lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.
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.
Food
Whole Food Diet
I will enjoy 1 meal(s) per day free of processed foods.
Waste
Use a Reusable Mug
I will avoid sending 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day.
Transportation
Walk Instead
I will walk 8 mile(s) per day instead of driving and avoid sending up to 6.03 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
Food
Join a Local CSA
I will sign up for a local CSA (consumer-supported agriculture).
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.
Simplicity
Eat Mindfully
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
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.
Food
Weekly Meal Planning
I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need.
Nature
Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset
I will enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset each day.
Health
Exercise Daily
I will exercise daily for 30 minute(s) per day for two weeks.
Nature
Go for a Daily Walk
I will take a 60-minute walk outside each day.
Waste
Go Paperless
I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and/or unsubscribing from catalogs.
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.
Water
Insulate Water Pipes and Water Heater
I will avoid wasting water while waiting for the shower or sink to heat up.
Simplicity
Organize a Course
I will organize NWEI's discussion course 'Voluntary Simplicity' with my family, friends, coworkers, or classmates.
Food
Say No to Seafood
I will not eat seafood.
Energy
Replace Manual Thermostats
I will replace manual thermostats with programmable ones.
Energy
Organize a Course
I will organize one of NWEI's discussion courses, such as 'Powering a Bright Future', with family, friends, coworkers, or classmates.
Nature
Organize a Course
I will organize one of NWEI's discussion courses, such as 'Reconnecting with Earth', with my family, friends, coworkers, or classmates.
Waste
Start Composting
I will start a compost collection at home, work, or school.
Community
Help Others
I will offer to help 2 person(s) who are in need each day.
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.
Energy
Choose Clean/Renewable Energy
I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.
Transportation
Choose a Carbon Offset
If buying a plane ticket, I will also buy a carbon offset.
Food
Smart Seafood Choices
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
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
Watch a Documentary
I will watch a documentary film about food with family and friends and talk about what we learned.
Health
Take Control
Develop a plan with my medical professionals to achieve my best health and live my life to the fullest.
Food
Try a New Way to Prep
I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.
Create Your Own Action
Environmental Awareness
I will create an Environmental Awareness Twitter Account to spread knowledge on Environmental and Sustainability knowledge.
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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Kevin Zacharyasz 10/28/2016 7:22 AMEven though the ECOCHALLENGE is coming to an end, remember to keep challenging yourself each and every day to be a little more Sustainable and Environmentally conscious.-
Kevin Zacharyasz 10/31/2016 4:58 AMThank you!!! You did a great job as well!! :) -
Mittale Suchak 10/29/2016 2:32 AMGreat job! We both did so well on this EcoChallenge!!! -
Mittale Suchak 10/28/2016 11:16 AMAbsolutely! Couldn't agree more!!! This EcoChallenge has certainly helped me with achieving some of my daily goals and also the one-time challenges.
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Kevin Zacharyasz 10/28/2016 5:32 AMCongrats Everyone!!! GREAT JOB WITH THE CHALLENGE!!! :)-
Mittale Suchak 10/28/2016 11:16 AMCongratulations to Everyone!!! :)
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Kevin Zacharyasz 10/27/2016 6:07 AMLast night, I decided to get into the fall spirit and try making Pumpkin Banana Bread. It turned out really well!-
Kevin Zacharyasz 10/31/2016 4:59 AM -
Tara Marie Colaruotolo 10/28/2016 2:36 PMThis sounds amazing! Please share the recipe, and also great job on the challenge -
Mittale Suchak 10/27/2016 6:45 AMThat sounds so delicious! Do share the recipe of the Pumpkin Banana Bread! Would love to try it!!!
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Kevin Zacharyasz 10/26/2016 4:55 AMA little chilly in Ohio this morning, but a beautiful sunrise!-
Mittale Suchak 10/27/2016 6:45 AMIt is getting very cold in Massachusetts as well! I can smell the Winter in the air! :)
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Kevin Zacharyasz 10/25/2016 6:05 AMThis Challenge has been great!! It is causing a lot of conversation and action among co-workers.-
Mittale Suchak 10/25/2016 12:08 PMThat's great!
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Kevin Zacharyasz 10/24/2016 6:29 AMLast week of the Challenge!!-
Mittale Suchak 10/25/2016 12:08 PMIt sure is!
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Kevin Zacharyasz 10/23/2016 5:44 PMWent hiking this weekend around Hocking Hills! Amazing views! -
Kevin Zacharyasz 10/21/2016 6:49 AMOne Week LEFT!!! Let's get Sustainable! -
Kevin Zacharyasz 10/20/2016 6:29 AMWorked out this morning instead of after work. SO MUCH MORE ENERGY! -
Kevin Zacharyasz 10/19/2016 5:52 AMEating Breakfast outside today!-
Tara Marie Colaruotolo 10/19/2016 9:12 AMThat is the meal i do outside too :) it is great to relax outside with a warm beverage and food.
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