Haley Demmin
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 834 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO12disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO1.0energy auditconducted
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UP TO240gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO5.0locally sourced mealsconsumed
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UP TO16meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO26plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO15plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO24pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO1.0pound of paperhas been saved
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UP TO4.0whole food mealsconsumed
Haley's actions
Food
Locally-Sourced Meals
I will source 1 meal(s) each day from local producers.
Water
Collect Rain Water
I will create a rain garden or bioswale, or use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs.
Waste
Reduce Single-Use Disposables
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.
Water
5-Minute Showers
I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.
Waste
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
I will keep 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.
Water
Eco-friendly Gardening
I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.
Waste
Use a Reusable Mug
I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.
Food
Reduce Animal Products
I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 0 vegan meal(s) each day this week.
Waste
Choose Two-Sided Printing
I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper each day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided.
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.
Waste
Use Reusable Bags
I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.
Water
Insulate Water Pipes and Water Heater
I will avoid wasting water while waiting for the shower or sink to heat up.
Energy
Heat and Cool Naturally
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.
Energy
Online Energy Audit
I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.
Energy
Turn it off
I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.
Waste
Skip the Straw
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.
Water
Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants
I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of plants and trees at my home or work.
Food
Whole Foods Diet
I will enjoy 1 meal(s) each day free of processed foods.
Food
Buy From a Farmers Market
I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.
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.
Water
Say No to Plastic Straws
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 1 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.
Food
Plant an Herb Garden
I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONWater Collect Rain WaterTrace the water that flows down the drain from your house to the largest body of water nearby. What is the route it takes?
Haley Demmin 4/30/2019 3:26 PMOur water goes straight into the creek at the end of our yard. That creek ultimately flows into the Clackamas river. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWater Say No to Plastic StrawsWhat single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?
Haley Demmin 4/30/2019 3:25 PMWe regularly use those plastic bags for bulk items at Winco. Maybe there is some light weight bag that we could use that wouldn't add too much weight to the scale. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWater Eco-friendly GardeningWhat are the most prominent water concerns in your area? Examples include drought, flooding, pollution, access, security, and privatization.
Haley Demmin 4/30/2019 3:23 PMI think in the Valley, it's flooding in the winter/spring, and drought/fire in the summer. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWater 5-Minute ShowersFive minute showers are an impressive step toward reducing your water footprint. What is the next step you can take?
Haley Demmin 4/30/2019 3:22 PMLast year we installed a sprinkler system in our vegetable garden and flower beds and set it to only water at night so the water doesn't evaporate before it can sink into the soil. Currently, if it rains we have to remember to shut it off for those days. This year we are considering upgrading and getting a sensor for it that will tell if it is raining and automatically shut off the sprinkler program for that day. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Use Reusable BagsWhat do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items but don't have a reuseable one with you? 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 establish this a successful habit?
Haley Demmin 4/30/2019 3:20 PMIf I don't have too many items, I will just put as many things as I can in my purse and carry the rest. Otherwise I will opt for a paper bag rather than plastic, because we actually use and re-use paper bags in the house for various things. Recently I have really been trying to keep a reusable bag in my truck at all times so I have a backup if I forget. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Reduce Single-Use DisposablesBringing your own bags and containers to the grocery store, and even to restaurants for leftovers, are a couple of ways to reduce your waste. What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?
Haley Demmin 4/30/2019 3:18 PMI find myself regularly using a lot of paper towels and such. I think I am going to start bringing a hand towel to work to dry at least my lunch dish after I wash it, and maybe my hands too after using the restroom. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Skip the StrawHow could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle?
Haley Demmin 4/30/2019 3:16 PMI've been thinking a lot on 'repair' recently. Nowadays it is so easy to just buy a new thing when your current thing breaks. Lots of times those breaks can easily be fixed. Next time I consider replacing something, I want to really think about if I can just fix what broke first. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Use a Reusable Water BottleWhile water bottles serve an important role in places for health and safety, we can do more to reduce the unnecessary use of them. Can you identify the barriers in making this a new habit? How can you set yourself up for success in making this a permanent change?
Haley Demmin 4/30/2019 3:12 PMSomething that I've found the biggest obstacle is when I need something to drink quickly but don't want to carry a water bottle around with me (so it would be easier to toss the container). But maybe getting a small water bottle that fits inside my purse rather than my usual 32 oz bottle would help in those situations. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Locally-Sourced MealsIf you were to only eat what is in season locally, what would be the hardest for you to give up?
Haley Demmin 4/30/2019 3:10 PMThe hardest would be fresh salad. Most other things can actually be preserved right at home. But salad doesn't do too hot canning or freezing. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Whole Foods DietMichael Pollan states that "it is better to pay the grocer (our edit: or the farmer!) than the doctor." What are your thoughts on this?
Haley Demmin 4/30/2019 3:08 PMIf medicine goes in your mouth to make you better, then it would make sense that food is also medicine. A surprising amount of problems can be either fixed or at least lessened by food rather than drugs.