Ecochallenge.org

Campus Ecochallenge

Rachael Melvin

Heartland Community College EASC 111

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,203 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

26

organic meals

consumed
UP TO

29

pounds of paper

have been saved
UP TO

104

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

26

zero-waste meals

consumed
UP TO

114

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

32

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

62

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

26

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

20

minutes

spent learning

Rachael's actions

Energy

Turn it off

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

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 4 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

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 each day that I do this.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 29
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 4 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

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 when I have to print documents.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Choose Organic Ingredients

I will enjoy 1 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients each day.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion

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

COMPLETED
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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Reduce Single-Use Disposables

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.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

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

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Zero-Waste Cooking

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

COMPLETED 26
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
Waste Find Local Recycling Depots

Our ability to recycle certain things ebbs and flows based upon many factors, including market demand for recyclables. Luckily there are places that accept uncommon things to recycle or dispose of in a less harmful way. What did you find when looking for places to recycle items that can't be recycled in your curbside bin?

Rachael Melvin 11/17/2021 10:48 AM

Old batteries can be taken to Batteries Plus. I usually tape both ends of the battery with masking tape and place them in a container. Then I can drop them off when the container is full.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Go Paperless

Reducing your paper mail can reduce mental clutter as well as physical waste -- by reducing what is coming in, you can reduce what is going into the recycling bin too. How does it make you feel? What is the next step you will take to reduce your waste?

Rachael Melvin 11/17/2021 10:42 AM

Paying bills online and requesting paperless statements is a way that I am reducing what is going into my recycling bin. This makes me feel great as I am producing less waste.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion

How can you express your personality, creativity, and values in ways that don't require fast fashion or buying more clothes and accessories?

Rachael Melvin 11/16/2021 12:21 PM

I usually purchase quality products that will last a very long time. And, I buy less. These classic style choices are timeless staples in my closet.

Read More
Rachael Melvin 11/16/2021 12:18 PM

This challenge is going well. I love seeing the impact on our environment that we are making!

Read More
- Janet Beach Davis 11/18/2021 8:41 AM
  
  Saving the world!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use a Reusable Mug

Maybe you've heard how good it is to switch from a single use coffee cup to a reusable one, but it's just hard to make the switch. What stands in your way of making this a habit? By identifying the challenges, you can begin to work through them to have better success in taking this action. Knowing the difference you are making, how does it make you feel?

Rachael Melvin 11/15/2021 10:41 AM

I am currently using a a reusable coffee mug. My tea stays hot and I prefer this mug. However, I can see how the convenience of picking up tea or coffee from a vendor could form a habit of using single use cups. I prefer to make my tea or coffee at home and use my reusable mug. It's better for the environment and I save money too!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Skip the Straw

How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle?

Rachael Melvin 11/12/2021 11:27 AM

As often as possible, I choose to purchase items that are in reusable packaging. For example, the tea that I purchase comes in a metal can. This container can later be used to store household items in.

Read More
- Cassandra Bean 11/14/2021 2:33 PM
  
  I do the same thing when I buy tea, or whenever we buy any kind of reusable container. My family do a lot of construction projects, so we use them to store some screws and nails.
  
  Read More
Rachael Melvin 11/12/2021 11:20 AM

This ecochallenge continues to be a fun reminder that I can make more eco-friendly choices!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Adjust the Thermostat

Your utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your ZIP code, region, and/or state. What other steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?

Rachael Melvin 11/12/2021 11:17 AM

Only utilize lights that are needed. Also, never leave a light on in an empty room.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Reduce Single-Use Disposables

What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What did you substitute or could be substituted instead?

Rachael Melvin 11/09/2021 4:38 PM

I do occasionally use plastic bags to store food for my lunch. Using a glass container with a lid would be a more eco-friendly option.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Power Down the Computer

What are other easy things you could do to save energy and reduce your environmental footprint?

Rachael Melvin 11/08/2021 3:37 PM

I try to always turn my lamp off when I am away from my desk. This is a simple task but I often forget to do it.

Read More