Akhil Mathur

I will visit my nearest farm to find out who produces my food, and will learn about the quality of life of those around the world who produce my food in order to make better choices when I shop.

I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.

I will avoid sending 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus to reduce pollution in the environment and in local communities.

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

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

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 2 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

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

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.

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

I will start a recycling program at my workplace, dorm, or elsewhere on campus.

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.

Cheap, single-use items and disposable packaging end up blowing around as litter more often in poor and POC-majority neighborhoods. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate.

If at all possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

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.

I will watch 2 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 advocate for local and/or organic food options at work or on campus.

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

I will sign up for a local CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture).

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.

I will spend 2 minutes researching environmental justice and environmental racism concerns in my region, who is affected by them, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

I will spend at least 2 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.

I will organize one of Ecochallenge.org's discussion courses on food sustainability - 'Menu for the Future' or 'Hungry for Change' with my family, friends, co-workers, or classmates.

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 2 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper per day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided when I have to print documents.