Skip to main content
Garrett Mitchell's avatar

Garrett Mitchell

RIT Sustainable Living Class - Spring 2021

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 96 TOTAL

Garrett's actions

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Energy

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 10 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 5 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

RESEARCH LOCAL WASTE SITES

I will spend 15 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

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

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

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
    Energy Choose LED Bulbs
    Switching out your lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! In what other ways can you exercise your civic duty to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions?

    Garrett Mitchell's avatar
    Garrett Mitchell 3/31/2021 6:13 PM
    I could make sure I keep my lights off when not in use.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste RESEARCH LOCAL WASTE SITES
    In what neighborhoods or areas of your region are landfills or other waste sites located? Which communities are most affected by these locations?

    Garrett Mitchell's avatar
    Garrett Mitchell 3/31/2021 6:00 PM
    I located a large landfill in Rome NY that has massive pipes to release the gas the waste makes. 
  • 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?

    Garrett Mitchell's avatar
    Garrett Mitchell 3/31/2021 5:59 PM
    I made this a permanent habit and feel it has had the greatest impact on sustainability for me. overall, Im keeping 1800 water bottles a year from entering oceans and landfills.
  • 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?

    Garrett Mitchell's avatar
    Garrett Mitchell 3/31/2021 5:57 PM
    I feel good knowing i use exclusively reuseable mugs
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Use Reusable Bags
    What do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items but don't have a reusable one with you or aren't allowed to use the one you brought? Carry things out in your hands? In a cart? Accept a disposable one? If you find yourself in this position often, what system could you put in place to try to create a successful habit of not using plastic bags?

    Garrett Mitchell's avatar
    Garrett Mitchell 3/31/2021 5:56 PM
    I keep bags in my trunk of car to ensure i do not need to buy more from the store this helps keep the environment clean and allows for a more sustainable living
  • 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?

    Garrett Mitchell's avatar
    Garrett Mitchell 3/31/2021 5:55 PM
    Going paperless feels good because I know im helping the environment.