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Emily Mark's avatar

Emily Mark

Kwantlen Student Association

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 836 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    30
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    5.0
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    34
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    7.0
    pounds
    waste composted
  • UP TO
    430
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    4.0
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed

Emily's actions

Simplicity

Less Screen Time

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

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Meditate

I will meditate or create a moment of silence for 5 minute(s) each day to reflect on things important to me.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Sign up for the Sustainable KSA Newsletter

Here's a freebie action for everyone! If you haven't already, sign up for the SustainableKSA newsletter to stay on top of all of our events, promotions, and news. Sign up at http://eepurl.com/diZbsv!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Watch the film Creatures of Convenience on CBC Gem

Check out the film Creatures of Convenience on CBC Gem for FREE! This is a local film about the the impact our culture of convenience has on the environment. If you liked the film, consider attending our Earth Day event on Thursday, April 22: "In Conversation: Creatures of Convenience," a Q&A session with the film's producer and filmmaker, moderated by KPU instructor Dr. Paul Richard! To complete this action, you only have to watch the film - but we'd love to see you at the event as well! :)

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Eat Mindfully

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Needs Vs. Wants

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

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Disconnect from Email

I will disconnect from my email when not at work or school, using my personal time for endeavors that help me live out my values.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Personal Waste Audit

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Go Paperless

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 3.3lbs (1.6kg) a month by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion

I will learn about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Tour A Waste Management Facility

I will spend at least 15 minute(s) touring (virtually or in person) a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about our local waste and waste recovery streams.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

RESEARCH LOCAL WASTE SITES

I will spend 20 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Find Local Recycling Depots

I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in recycling dumpsters or my curbside bin.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Compost Food Waste

I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill each day by composting my food or learning how to.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Skip the Straw

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Meditate
    What would you like to invest more time in reflecting on?

    Emily Mark's avatar
    Emily Mark 3/31/2021 12:42 AM
    I would like to spend more time reflecting on myself. There is so much about me that I have not yet discovered. I believe that once I get to know myself better, I can work on the problem areas. This way I can help myself before helping someone else with their problems. 


    • Erin Pedersen's avatar
      Erin Pedersen 3/31/2021 11:54 AM
      It's so weird how we don't know ourselves... seems like it should be simple, but it isn't!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Eat Mindfully
    Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How do your eating experiences differ when practicing mindfulness?

    Emily Mark's avatar
    Emily Mark 3/31/2021 12:31 AM
    My experience of mindful eating appeared to slow time. I was able to appreciate and enjoy the taste of my meal. Although I have heard that eating without distractions can make someone feel full faster, I am unsure if this applied to me during this challenge. 

    • Erin Pedersen's avatar
      Erin Pedersen 3/31/2021 11:54 AM
      This is a big one for me - I usually read while I'm eating, it's a bad habit!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Less Screen Time
    What did you notice in implementing this challenge? Was it hard to choose other activities over screen time? How did you decide to spend your time?

    Emily Mark's avatar
    Emily Mark 3/31/2021 12:06 AM
    This challenge has allowed me to do things that I want to do but rarely do. Given that these activities are something that I want to do, it was easier to achieve. I spent this time in the kitchen to cook a healthy meal and try out recipes. I have also spent time planting wildflowers and planning for future garden projects. 

    • Erin Pedersen's avatar
      Erin Pedersen 3/31/2021 11:53 AM
      That's great, Emily! Sometimes we all just need a little extra push :)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Disconnect from Email
    Notice how much time you were spending checking email away from work and make note of that. Now that you have stepped away from it and have not been checking, what changes are you noticing in your thoughts, use of time, stress and energy levels?

    Emily Mark's avatar
    Emily Mark 3/30/2021 11:44 PM
    Admittedly it was hard to disconnect from my email since I check my emails often. It became clear to me that I check my emails to pass time, ensure that I am not missing out on a unique opportunity, and or attempt to feel productive. When I step away from my emails, knowing that I am not expecting to receive an email, it feels like I can do the things that I enjoy. It allowed me to learn something new, decrease stress, and increase my energy levels.

    • Erin Pedersen's avatar
      Erin Pedersen 3/31/2021 11:53 AM
      That's great! I can't understand people who have their work emails on their phone. No way!!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Use a Reusable Water Bottle
    While water bottles are needed for health and safety in certain places, we can do more to reduce the unnecessary use of them. What are the barriers to you using reusable bottles and tap water instead of bottled water? How could you make this a permanent habit?

    Emily Mark's avatar
    Emily Mark 3/21/2021 6:48 PM
    Bottled water is lighter in weight and rarely has a bad after taste. I find refrigerating water helps with the after taste. Does anyone have any recommendations for a compact, lightweight, and environmentally friendly water bottle?

    • Nikita Madhani's avatar
      Nikita Madhani 3/23/2021 9:14 AM
      I have a swell bottle and I love it! They're so durable and chic, you'll want to bring it around with you everywhere. Especially with the summer coming, it'll keep your water cold for a long time.

    • Emily Mark's avatar
      Emily Mark 3/22/2021 9:35 PM
      Thank you for the recommendation Erin :)

    • Erin Pedersen's avatar
      Erin Pedersen 3/22/2021 10:11 AM
      A lot of people like Swell bottles - I don't have one, but I've heard they're good: https://www.swell.com/
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Watch the film Creatures of Convenience on CBC Gem
    What surprised you the most in the film?

    Emily Mark's avatar
    Emily Mark 3/16/2021 1:30 AM
    I was pleasantly surprised by the number of environmental advocates in the film. 

    • Erin Pedersen's avatar
      Erin Pedersen 3/17/2021 9:28 AM
      There are a ton of great people working on making the world more sustainable! Check out our Earth Day event if you're interested in participating in a Q&A with the filmmaker! 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Needs Vs. Wants
    How is creativity a necessary ingredient for practicing simplicity?

    Emily Mark's avatar
    Emily Mark 3/13/2021 5:49 PM
    Most times, it takes a new perspective to find beauty in simple things. Creativity allows for discovery, appreciation, and excitement to exist in a life of simplicity. 

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Sign up for the Sustainable KSA Newsletter
    What events or opportunities would you like to see the KSA provide for KPU students?

    Emily Mark's avatar
    Emily Mark 3/01/2021 8:37 PM
    It would be nice to see some job and volunteer opportunities!

    • Hina  Kuae 's avatar
      Hina Kuae 3/03/2021 4:35 PM
      Hi Emily!
      As Erin mentioned, we have a section in our newsletter for that and we've added amazing opportunities in this week's edition! 😉 

    • Erin Pedersen's avatar
      Erin Pedersen 3/02/2021 12:01 PM
      Hey Emily, thanks! We have a section for sustainability-related job and volunteer opportunities in the newsletter. Once the KSA resumes on-campus programs, we'll have a lot more volunteer opportunities available!