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Nathan Dahl's avatar

Nathan Dahl

Washington County Staff

"I will do my part to help save our environment by making small changes to my daily routine to help in the long-term impact. "

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 737 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    12
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    7.0
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    0.9
    pounds
    waste avoided
  • UP TO
    1.4
    pounds
    waste recycled
  • UP TO
    47
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    80
    minutes
    spent learning

Nathan's actions

Personal Care

Say no to “Flushable wipes”

Wipes don't break down in sewer systems, but create massive clogs. I will find alternatives to using disposable wipes. 

COMPLETED 28
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Ditch the Disposable Cleaning Wipes

I will replace my disposable cleaning wipes with a reusable brush or cloth.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kids

Switch to Reusable Squeeze Pouches

I will prep and pack healthy pureed snacks in reusable squeeze pouches instead of buying disposable plastic pouches.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Plastics 101

Stop "wishcycling"

Contamination makes the recycling process more difficult. I will review which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my county and recycle only those items. 

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Plastics 101

Recycle Plastic Caps

I will recycle 1 plastic caps per day by placing them back on the plastic bottles before placing them in my recycling bin.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Pick Up Plastic Litter

I will pick up 1 piece(s) of plastic litter each day and dispose of it responsibly.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Pets

Invest in a Pooper-Scooper

I will swap out my single-use plastic bags for a pooper-scooper to clean up in my yard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

On-the-go

Use Reusable Water Bottles

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 6 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed


  • Nathan Dahl's avatar
    Nathan Dahl 2/28/2025 1:47 PM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    We made it! Great job everyone helping to reduce our impact on the environment and make the world a better place :)

  • Nathan Dahl's avatar
    Nathan Dahl 2/27/2025 2:32 PM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    With all this sunshine and melting of snow, the opportunities to pick up litter is everywhere! Make sure to stop and grab a little each day when you see it :)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    On-the-go
    Can you think of any scenarios where using your own bottle is harder? How can you make sure not to get a disposable bottle in that case?

    Nathan Dahl's avatar
    Nathan Dahl 2/19/2025 7:13 AM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    When you are out at a concert or venue and you run out of water. They seem to only sell plastic water bottles (sometimes in a can that can be recycled.

    You can always search for the water fountain to get a quick drink!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Pets
    What has been your experience using a reusable pooper-scooper? How are caring for your pet and caring for the environment connected for you?

    Nathan Dahl's avatar
    Nathan Dahl 2/14/2025 8:44 AM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    Pooper scoopers work great vs the plastic bags to pick up the dog's waste :)

    The only issue is when you go to put it in the garbage can, it is loose (unbagged) and continues to make the garbage can stink after emptied, forcing you to use a large garbage bag to contain it all.

    Anyone have any ideas on disposing of dog waste without the use of plastic garbage bags? (Maybe a paper bag that will decompose?)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    How does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?

    Nathan Dahl's avatar
    Nathan Dahl 2/13/2025 7:26 AM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    I do not know if it as much makes me feel like part of my community, rather I have a hard time understanding how things can just be thrown on the ground when there are some many opportunities to place it in a recycling bin throughout the day. I'll keep doing my part to help save our planet!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kids
    Have you created or discovered any new or interesting pureed snacks that you wouldnt be able to get in premade disposable pouches? What are they?

    Nathan Dahl's avatar
    Nathan Dahl 2/12/2025 10:54 AM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    I have not! The cost of Applesauce pouches was getting expensive, so instead we made a one-time purchase of re-usable applesauce pouches that can be washed in the dishwasher and purchased a large jar of applesauce for a more cost-effective option while saving the environment.

    • Annie Deutsch's avatar
      Annie Deutsch 2/12/2025 11:14 AM
      • 10-DAY STREAK
      That's awesome! I have several friends who use and love the reusable pouches!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Home
    How has removing your single-use plastics impacted your caffeine routine?

    Nathan Dahl's avatar
    Nathan Dahl 2/10/2025 7:14 AM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    Coffee at home has been easier, more cost effective and saves the environment. The less Starbucks coffee cups I can use, the better!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Plastics 101
    What are some things you can do to avoid using plastic bottles and plastic caps in the first place?

    Nathan Dahl's avatar
    Nathan Dahl 2/06/2025 12:05 PM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    Buy more re-usable containers, such as a Nalgene or Hydroflask. This will eliminate caps all together!

  • Nathan Dahl's avatar
    Nathan Dahl 2/05/2025 11:19 AM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    Make sure you don't recycle BLACK items! They cannot be recycled.


  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Home
    How have you modified your cleaning routine to make sure you aren't using disposable wipes? Are you satisfied with the results?

    Nathan Dahl's avatar
    Nathan Dahl 2/05/2025 6:50 AM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    Focusing on using re-usable cloths vs. Disposable wipes and paper towel. trying to avoid the production of more plastics to package the wipes and paper towel.