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Heidi Herrmann's avatar

Heidi Herrmann

Niron Magnetics

"I want to be more aware of my plastic use and find new ways to reduce it"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 871 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    8.7
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    33
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    7.0
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    0.2
    pounds
    waste avoided
  • UP TO
    1.3
    pounds
    packaging waste avoided
  • UP TO
    7.0
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    100
    minutes
    spent learning

Heidi's actions

On-the-go

Skip the Straw

I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

On-the-go

Say no to Styrofoam

Throughout its life cycle, polystyrene (styrofoam) can harm people, communities, and the planet. I will refuse styrofoam whenever I can.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Plastics 101

Avoid Harmful Plastics

I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polyvinyl, polystyrene and polycarbonate (#3,#6 and #7).

COMPLETED 21
DAILY 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.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Have Waste-Free Periods

I will use a menstrual cup and/or cloth pads instead of a disposable option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Plastics 101

Estimate Your Plastic Footprint

I will complete a plastic consumption calculator to learn about my plastic footprint.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Pets

Buy Bulk Kitty Litter

I will purchase bulk cat litter where I can refill and keep using the same container.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Pets
    Has using bulk cat litter been a big transition for you or your cat? What tips would you have for other cat owners?

    Heidi Herrmann's avatar
    Heidi Herrmann 2/28/2025 7:59 AM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    Urban Tails Pet Supply on Lyndale Ave has a bulk litter program! You get a bucket when you initially start the program and then refill the bucket when you need to restock! It's a little bit cheaper to buy this way, and being able to reuse the bucket is worth the extra drive for me. I mixed the new litter with the last of the old kind and my cat seems to have no problem with the transition.

  • Heidi Herrmann's avatar
    Heidi Herrmann 2/26/2025 6:42 AM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    I've been trying to use less plastic when making dinner, and last night I made a delicious tomato-basil-cheddar bean soup with almost all canned/unpackaged ingredients!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Plastics 101
    Do some research on polystyrene and polyvinyl. How many items in your house already contain these toxins?

    Heidi Herrmann's avatar
    Heidi Herrmann 2/25/2025 7:14 AM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    I am unpleasantly surprised at what I learned about polyvinyl (PVA): It is not easily biodegradable, as it is advertised, and it has not been proven safe in terms human health. PVA is found in dishwasher/laundry pods, food, and pharmaceutical products. Also, for anyone who uses the Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Eco Sheets like I do, they contain PVA :(

    • H McCrillis 's avatar
      H McCrillis 2/26/2025 4:15 AM
      • 28-DAY STREAK
      Gah, so much for the eco sheets.

    • Krina Damien's avatar
      Krina Damien 2/25/2025 7:38 AM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      • 28-DAY STREAK
      Oh no!! Thanks for the heads up, Heidi! I'm going to look into this more.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Plastics 101
    What did you find out about your plastic consumption by using the calculator? What did or didn't surprise you?

    Heidi Herrmann's avatar
    Heidi Herrmann 2/20/2025 2:08 PM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    My plastic consumption was estimated at about 31 lbs/year, but this is likely an underestimate... I was surprised that the average plastic use per person in the US is 185 lbs/year! The category that I use the most plastic in is food & kitchen, it's been hard to reduce that since almost all grocery store items come with plastic packaging >:(

    • Anandhi  Chari's avatar
      Anandhi Chari 2/20/2025 2:13 PM
      • 18-DAY STREAK
      I could not agree more! Most plastic seems to be around food and kitchen. I am trying some creative ways of reusing them but yes, all items from grocery store nowadays are with plastic packaging
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Home
    How has removing your single-use plastics impacted your caffeine routine?

    Heidi Herrmann's avatar
    Heidi Herrmann 2/12/2025 2:13 PM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    I stopped using energy drink packets and instead drink loose leaf tea - much less plastic and I am enjoying trying new tea flavors from a local shop
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    How 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?

    Heidi Herrmann's avatar
    Heidi Herrmann 2/12/2025 2:09 PM
    • 28-DAY STREAK
    I decided to season and roast chickpeas - I liked how easy it was, and they are delicious