

Megan Carlson
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 454 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO8.4pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO23plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO14plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO1.4poundspackaging waste avoided
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UP TO7.0plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO24disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO55minutesspent learning
Megan's actions
On-the-go
Use A Reusable Mug or Cup
I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own collapsible cup.
Community
Share My Actions
I will make my low-waste actions visible by posting to my social media networks.
Kids
Provide Alternatives
I will provide daily plastic-free alternatives (straws, water bottles, cutlery, bar soap, bamboo toothbrushes, etc.) for my family to use.
Food
Make Your Own
I will try a new recipe or food preparation method, such as canning, pickling, making yogurt, or baking granola bars or bread.
On-the-go
Refill travel toiletries
If traveling, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me
Personal Care
Switch to compostable floss
I will switch to compostable floss in a reusable container.
At Home
Plastic-Free Caffeine Routine
I will cut single-use plastics out of my morning drink by switching to reusable coffee pods, tea infusers, and bulk beans or tea leaves.
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.
At Home
Swap Sponges for Longer Lasting Reusable Options
I will ditch the sponge and use a reusable or compostable option such as a brush, scrubber or dishrag instead.
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 QUESTIONPersonal CareFlossing is a hard habit to maintain for a lot of people! Does making your flossing routine more sustainable give you motivation to keep up this notoriously difficult habit?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunityIn what ways is social media an effective tool for sharing your values?
Megan Carlson 2/25/2025 11:15 AMI shared an Instagram post of this challenge and encouraged others to join me. I also bragged on FB about our recycling centers around Washington County and how much I've learned about composting!-
Julie DURR 2/25/2025 1:30 PM- 28-DAY STREAK
Using social media is a good tool for asking for ideas, some are good and others not so good.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONAt HomeWhat are some benefits you've noticed with your reusable cleaning items?
Megan Carlson 2/25/2025 11:12 AMI've switched to Swedish Dish cloths and love them!-
Julie DURR 2/25/2025 1:32 PM- 28-DAY STREAK
I can wash the microfiber cloths and hang dry these items. We can also refill these containers several over and over again.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONAt HomeHow has removing your single-use plastics impacted your caffeine routine?
Megan Carlson 2/25/2025 11:11 AMThis goal has been more awkward than anything, haha! Most coffee shops are not used to someone handing them personal cups. It has made me much more aware, however, and helped me to decide whether the stop is necessary (especially when I forgot a cup).-
Julie DURR 2/26/2025 5:09 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
We use travel mugs, and we no longer buy plastic or Styrofoam cups. We are saving the planet one cup at time.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFoodHow do you feel about being more involved in the food preparation process? Joyful, overwhelmed, engaged, empowered? What are the benefits of choosing to process or produce your own food instead of buying it pre-processed?
Megan Carlson 2/11/2025 6:29 AMIt is really nice to have an incentive to make things fresh (and in bulk for future use)! -
Megan Carlson 2/05/2025 1:29 PMI have done a lot of things to move plastic out of our daily life as a family, but this has made me even more aware!-
Michelle B 2/05/2025 1:31 PM- 24-DAY STREAK
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REFLECTION QUESTIONOn-the-goGreat job on getting rid of your disposable cup habit! How does it make you feel? Are there any situations where you still struggle to use a reusable mug?
Megan Carlson 2/05/2025 1:28 PMI forgot my reusable cup when I decided to stop for coffee. Maybe I need to keep an extra in the car for emergency caffeine visits;) -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKidsWhat single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) does your household use regularly, and what substitutes are you trying?
Megan Carlson 2/05/2025 1:26 PMI now keep collapsible straws in multiple bags (purse, work bag, etc) -
Megan Carlson 2/05/2025 1:24 PMI made protein cookies instead of grabbing a protein bar!