melrose kempiak

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

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.

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

I will journal each day about my experiences in nature.

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

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

I will keep 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water a day or 270 (1,020 L) gallons of water a month per faucet.

An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When they ingest plastic, marine life has a 50% mortality rate. By asking for no straw when placing a drink order, I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.

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

I will watch 1 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

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