Michelle B
"to create that we can and will impact the health and future of our planet "
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,072 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO1.0waste auditconducted
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UP TO4.0pieces of litterpicked up
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UP TO3.0advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO340minutesspent learning
Michelle 's actions
Plastics 101
Read Plastic-Free Challenge emails
I will read through the three emails each week to learn more about plastic and get ideas on how to use less.
Plastics 101
Estimate Your Plastic Footprint
I will complete a plastic consumption calculator to learn about my plastic footprint.
Plastics 101
Learn about bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastic
I will learn about what different descriptions and marketing terms mean when used on plastics.
On-the-go
Use Reusable Bags
I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases, including produce bags.
Plastics 101
Watch a Documentary
I will watch a documentary film about plastic waste with family and friends and talk about what we learned.
Plastics 101
Know the Numbers
The numbers #1-7 on plastics tell us a lot and can help us be better recyclers. I will learn more about what the symbols on plastics mean.
Community
SUPPORT BUSINESSES PARTICIPATING IN MNIMIZE
MNimize works to reduce single-use plastic at food service businesses. I will visit a participating location or tell a business I frequent about the resources available to them.
Community
Pick Up Plastic Litter
I will pick up 1 piece(s) of plastic litter each day and dispose of it responsibly.
Plastics 101
Complete a waste audit
I will spend 30 minutes conducting a waste audit- including recyclables and compost- to understand how much plastic waste I create and where I can reduce the most.
Plastics 101
Avoid Harmful Plastics
I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polyvinyl, polystyrene and polycarbonate (#3,#6 and #7).
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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Michelle B 2/28/2025 7:24 PM- 24-DAY STREAK
In a fitting finale to the plastic-free challenge, I attended an environmental trivia game night at a locally-owned brewery and my team won 2nd place. My prize was beeswax wraps (yay). BUT THEN while in line and ordering my beverage and seeing glassware everywhere, my rooter was handed to me in a PLASTIC CUP. Wahh wahh wahhhhh. I protested but it was too late. They would never reuse it of course. He just didn't want to stop and clean glasses. As we all know, this challenge is forever. Thanks and good luck, everyone. It's been fun doing it with you! Onward.-
Lisa Hirst Carnes 2/28/2025 8:24 PM- 19-DAY STREAK
Something similar happened to me today too! Plastic is pervasive. Yes, onward and upward! Cheers, Michelle!
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Michelle B 2/27/2025 8:48 AM- 24-DAY STREAK
A friend shared they bought a shampoo bar to reduce plastic inspired by me. I’ve posted about the challenge most everyday on social media and talk about it a fair amount. -
Michelle B 2/26/2025 4:03 AM- 24-DAY STREAK
I wrote my MN state rep after discovering that, along with Oklahoma and a dozen states, Minnesota has a preemptive ban on banning plastic bags etc. (From the “The Plastic Problem” doc) A year ago the DFL crafted a bill but it didn’t get far so I encouraged her to carry the baton now.-
H McCrillis 2/27/2025 2:33 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
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Dustin Pelikan 2/26/2025 7:19 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
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Chris Cherne 2/26/2025 6:55 AM- TEAM CAPTAIN
- 27-DAY STREAK
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Michelle B 2/26/2025 4:01 AM- 24-DAY STREAK
I’m extending my waste audit another week so there’s not an abrupt end to the support after the challenge. Really helps to be accountable-
Lisa Hirst Carnes 2/26/2025 4:59 AM- 19-DAY STREAK
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Michelle B 2/25/2025 6:55 AM- 24-DAY STREAK
Feeding the birds involves more plastic than I realized, especially suet cakes that are individually wrapped. Have been reusing bags for seeds (thankfully I get in bulk) -
Michelle B 2/24/2025 11:47 AM- 24-DAY STREAK
Did a 'plastic walk' in the beautiful weather and melting snow yesterday. Brought a bag and picked up quite a bit. Good idea from this group! Plan to make it a habit. -
Michelle B 2/23/2025 12:12 PM- 24-DAY STREAK
All of my purchases are becoming much more thoughtful, less impulsive, and overall, less frequent. This challenge dovetails naturally with my buy less year and economic boycotts. -
Michelle B 2/21/2025 11:15 AM- 24-DAY STREAK
Gradually switching back to sliced bar soaps. Why did I leave? Fell for the liquid gel pump soap. Onward! -
Michelle B 2/20/2025 7:59 AM- 24-DAY STREAK
Question: Is there any way to recycle toilet paper rolls? Ideas? Thank you :)
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Michelle B 2/21/2025 12:35 PM- 24-DAY STREAK
THANK YOU but never mind. Good news. They take empty TP rolls in my recycling. (I always recycled them and then recently heard somewhere legit (?) that they are *not* recyclable. Weird!) -
Michelle B 2/21/2025 4:33 AM- 24-DAY STREAK
My county (Carver) takes organics. I don’t personally have a compost pile. Are some haulers accepting the rolls for compost? That would be great. -
H McCrillis 2/21/2025 12:24 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
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Aimee Meyer 2/20/2025 9:02 AMYou can make an inexpensive cat toy by covering one end with tape and putting your cat's favorite treats inside. Your cat will bat it around to release the treats.
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Michelle B 2/20/2025 7:25 AM- 24-DAY STREAK
Starting a waste audit for this final week. I'll be curious how it goes with what I've learned and changed so far.