Coleen Cruz

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

I will commute by carpool 10 mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to 16.1 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and ending unwanted subscriptions.

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

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 3 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

I will avoid sending 3 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

I will spend at least 2 minutes finding out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.

I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper each day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided.

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

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 5 minutes researching and recycling all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.

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

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

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.

I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need.

I will replace 5 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips.

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

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

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

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.

Historically, marginalized and low-income communities live closer to landfills, contributing to a multitude of health problems. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate.

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

An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When they ingest plastic, marine life has a 50% mortality rate. By asking for no straw when placing a drink order, I will keep 3 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.

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.

I will replace my lawn with a drought-tolerant landscape and save the water, money, and time I used to spend cutting the grass.

I will create a rain garden or bioswale, or use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs.

I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.

I will save up to 8 gallons (30 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

I will naturally heat and cool my house, office, or dorm room by opening or closing my windows, curtains, and blinds, and by using fans.