Join the Campus Ecochallenge, presented by Ecochallenge.org

Washington College Center for Environment & Society- Fall Flock Together Challenge! Feed

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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 Skip the Straw

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

Douglas Levin 10/19/2020 8:54 AM

Incorporating the 5 R's into my lifestyle includes a 6th R - Remember!!! What are your options when you make a decision to throw something out... don't forget good will, post something online as a "freebie", make your throw away someone's treasure. It's easy to take a picture and post it.

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Michelle Henry 10/15/2020 8:54 PM

Nice work, everyone! I thought I'd share a cool image I stumbled upon. Now it's time to continue ecochallenge offline.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Water Brush My Teeth Without Running Water

What is the main water source in your region? If you don't know, how could you find out?

Tya Pope 10/15/2020 4:04 PM

I honestly have no idea. I will do some research on my area. I just moved so I am not familiar with everything yet, so I imagine I could call a state department or do a search on the internet.

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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?

Tya Pope 10/15/2020 4:02 PM

That's a really tough question and I honestly don't know the answer. I would love to get some thoughts. I will probably google an answer once I submit, but I wanted to be truthful in saying I really don't know. :/

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Work-Life Balance

How might practicing work-life balance lead to a more sustainable life for yourself? How might it contribute to sustainability more broadly?

Tya Pope 10/15/2020 4:00 PM

Work is not everything and I constantly have to remind myself I am more than just the job I do every day. I have hobbies and interests and they deserve time and attention as well so I feel fulfilled. If I don't actually do all the things that make me happy, I could become resentful and not fully present with the things I do spend my time on daily.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Needs Vs. Wants

How is creativity a necessary ingredient for practicing simplicity?

Tya Pope 10/15/2020 3:59 PM

Creating something out of nothing is an art form. The idea of doing more with less is what I think of when I hear the words simplicity. I also hear accomplishing the same goal using a different path. You have to be nimble and creative to do more with less.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity De-Clutter My Home or Dorm Room

How can you prevent yourself from accumulating more unnecessary things in the future?

Tya Pope 10/15/2020 3:57 PM

I try to take an inventory regularly of what I have so I know what I need and don't need. I think my past has a lot to do with that desire to have extra of everything, but the amount of extra for me can be unreasonable. I think being realistic about space and actual needs vs wants will make a difference.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Exercise Daily

How can you incorporate other personal values (like quality time with friends or spending time in nature) into your exercise routine?

Tya Pope 10/15/2020 3:56 PM

I haven't done a great job with this challenge, but this question makes me think about my approach. Maybe if I took a friend to the gym with me or we went for walks together at a park, I would be more inclined to get outside or generally get moving.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Zero-Waste Cooking

In North America, up to 65% of food waste happens at the consumer level. Chef Steven Satterfield advocates for using every part of a vegetable. How can you incorporate using an entire vegetable (including the skins, tops, stalks, etc.) during your next meal prep?

Tya Pope 10/15/2020 3:54 PM

That's a great question and I am a big fan of research so I would say my first step would be to look at how all parts of a vegetable can be used. Vegetable broth/stock come to mind right away, but I am sure there are a million other ways to use all of a vegetable.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Whole Food Lifestyle

Michael Pollan states that “it is better to pay the grocer (our edit: or the farmer!) than the doctor.” What are your thoughts on this assertion?

Tya Pope 10/15/2020 3:52 PM

I could not agree more. Our food and the source of our food is so important to our long term health. Things can be processed to the point of no nutritional value or processed to the point of causing harm. We have to be conscious of what we are putting in our bodies to avoid becoming sick.

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