Morgan Gary
"plant based, zero waste & minimal impact living "
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,776 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO16disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO1.0energy auditconducted
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UP TO1,200gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO40locally sourced mealsconsumed
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UP TO90meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO70milesnot traveled by car
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UP TO60milestraveled by foot
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UP TO2,000minutesspent learning
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UP TO16plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO30plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO16plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO803pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO1.0public official or leadercontacted
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UP TO30whole food mealsconsumed
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UP TO60zero-waste mealsconsumed
Morgan's actions
Transportation
Drive Less
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips.
Transportation
Car Share
I will sign up for a car-sharing service, or organize car sharing with my neighbors, to cut down on the number of vehicles on the road.
Transportation
Choose a Carbon Offset
If buying a plane ticket, I will also buy a carbon offset.
Waste
Carry my Trash
I will carry all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash with me to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.
Waste
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
I will keep 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.
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.
Waste
Use a Reusable Mug
I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.
Water
Get Involved in the Water Justice Movement
I will spend at least 30 minutes using the resources provided to learn about water justice and find out how I can get involved in local initiatives.
Water
Conserve Toilet Water
I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.
Water
Brush My Teeth Without Running Water
I will save up to 8 gallons (30 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.
Food
Choose Organic Ingredients
I will enjoy 1 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients each day.
Food
Whole Foods Diet
I will enjoy 1 meal(s) each day free of processed foods.
Food
Zero-Waste Cooking
I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero-waste each day
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
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
5-Minute Showers
I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.
Food
Smart Seafood Choices
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
Water
Eco-friendly Gardening
I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.
Waste
Find Local Recycling Depots
I will spend at least 60 minutes finding out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.
Energy
Turn it off
I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.
Transportation
Conduct Virtual Meetings
I will not travel for meetings and will instead conduct them virtually.
Transportation
Walk Instead
I will walk 2 mile(s) each day instead of driving and avoid sending up to 1.61 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
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.
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.
Food
Weekly Meal Planning
I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need.
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.
Food
Plant an Herb Garden
I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.
Waste
Go Paperless
I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and ending unwanted subscriptions.
Transportation
Work from Home
I will work from home 3 day(s) to avoid my commute's carbon output.
Food
Try a New Way to Prep
I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.
Waste
Launch a Recycling Program
I will start a recycling program at my workplace or school. If a recycling program exists, I will advocate for ways to improve and expand it.
Transportation
Advocate for Greener Vehicles
I will spend at least 60 minutes assessing the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on fuel-efficient vehicles.
Food
Buy From a Farmers Market
I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.
Food
Reduce Animal Products
I will enjoy 2 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day this week.
Waste
Use Reusable Bags
I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.
Food
Meet My Local Farmers
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.
Food
Locally-Sourced Meals
I will source 1 meal(s) each day from local producers.
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 Conserve Toilet WaterWhat would a sustainable water future in your region look like? What needs to change?
Morgan Gary 4/30/2019 7:52 PMA sustainable water future would be one where everyone had access to clean, drinkable water. We need to be mindful every time we use water to shower, brush our teeth, cook, do laundry, etc and only use what we need! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWater Get Involved in the Water Justice MovementWho is affected by polluted water or a lack of access to water in your region? How are they affected?
Morgan Gary 4/30/2019 7:50 PMRight now we have less water in our region than we normally do. It is affecting everyone, but it is being seen in the Agriculture business very prominently. The pastures just aren't the same as they normally are. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Find Local Recycling DepotsOur ability to recycle certain things ebbs and flows based upon many factors. 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?
Morgan Gary 4/30/2019 7:47 PMI found out that I can take wine corks to New Seasons, empty pill bottles back to the pharmacy, hearing aid batteries back to my doctors office where they recycle them, plastic bags to the grocery store (Fred Meyers or Safeway takes them), a lot of odds and ends to Metro. I also took Magazines and random papers and art supplies to SCRAP and tools, buckets, etc to The Rebuilding Center. I found a home for almost everything! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Conduct Virtual MeetingsHow can you ensure that your virtual meetings honor your values and your company's culture?
Morgan Gary 4/30/2019 7:43 PMI would need to make sure virtual meetings are still personal and that we can still connect as a team. It is hard to always meet virtually, but as long as we are meeting about once per week in person that should be good. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Car ShareTake a moment to think of places you frequent often (work, grocery store, natural areas). Could you choose one or two days a week to schedule driving with a friend, neighbor or co-worker to these places?
Morgan Gary 4/30/2019 7:42 PMYes! That is a great idea. I could drive once a week to the grocery store with my neighbor to combine our trips! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportation Drive LessHow has your access to various kinds of transportation throughout your life influenced your current attitudes about transportation and your transportation behavior?
Morgan Gary 4/30/2019 7:40 PMI have always had access to a car. I also relied on public transportation and my bike throughout college. Since I've had access to a car usually my first instinct is to take the car. I use my car often, but If I can combine trips or walk, bike or take the bus I will. It can be convenient to take a car, but I make an effort to only take it when necessary. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Meet My Local FarmersWhen you know who produces your food, you are connecting personally to your complex regional food system. What are the advantages of knowing who produces your food and where it comes from? Do you think this might enable someone to advocate for a better quality of life for those who produce their food, both near and far?
Morgan Gary 4/30/2019 7:29 PMWhen you know where your food comes from you can feel good about the quality of the food as well as knowing who you are supporting by buying it. I love supporting our small local farmers and know my money is going directly to them instead of the few large food producers in our country that do not treat the farmers and their families well. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Smart Seafood ChoicesMany states and countries have advisories on eating fish. Find out what is advised for your region. Do you think your diet choices fall within these guidelines? What steps do you need to take to make sure that they do?
Morgan Gary 4/30/2019 7:26 PMRight now I am following a vegan, plant based diet and am not eating any fish. But if I were to eat fish again I would be very careful about what I ate and do research ahead of time. I think I would prioritize eating wild caught salmon. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEnergy Online Energy AuditWhat most interested or surprised you about your own energy footprint?
Morgan Gary 4/30/2019 7:24 PMHow much laundry accounts for your energy footprint and strengthens my belief that we should all wash in cold water to conserve energy. Doing laundry at Spin is extremely helpful and reduces my overall energy footprint! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEnergy Turn it offHow is electricity generated where you live? How does it impact the environment, animals, and humans?
Morgan Gary 4/30/2019 7:21 PMElectricity is generated in a wide variety of ways from coal to nuclear to hydro. There is also a growing amount of renewable energy sources including wind and solar. I've been thinking a lot about wind power. I think makes a ton of sense but I was also recently talking to someone on the other side of the argument that shared that many endangered birds are killed each day from the wind turbines. I think it is important to understand all environmental impacts and do our best to reduce any negative side effects.