Piyush Jain

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 2 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 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

I will keep 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

I will spend at least 3 minutes using the resources provided to learn about water justice and find out how I can get involved in local initiatives.

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

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 2 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.

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

I will install a greywater catchment system in my home.

I will avoid wasting water while waiting for the shower or sink to heat up.

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of plants and trees at my home or work.

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 fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet every day.

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

I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash 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.

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 use public transit 1 mile(s) each day and avoid sending up to 11.42 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

I will spend at least 20 minutes assessing the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on fuel-efficient vehicles.

If buying a plane ticket, I will also buy a carbon offset.

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 30 minutes researching and recycling all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

I will walk 10 mile(s) each day instead of driving and avoid sending up to 120.58 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

I will source 2 meal(s) each day from local producers.

I will not travel for meetings and will instead conduct them virtually.

I will test drive an electric vehicle at the Forth showcase in downtown Portland.

I will replace inefficient heating and cooling units.

I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.

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

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.

I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water each day by installing a toilet tank bank.

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 start a recycling program at my workplace or school. If a recycling program exists, I will advocate for ways to improve and expand it.