Suzanne Jaeger

U.S. Bank Plastic Free Avengers

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
289 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

6.0

zero-waste meals

consumed
UP TO

2.2

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

12

pieces of litter

picked up
UP TO

0.5

pounds

packaging waste avoided
UP TO

5.0

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill

Suzanne's actions

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 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Plastics 101

Avoid Harmful Plastics

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Cook Meals with Zero Plastic Waste

I will prepare 2 meal(s) at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Plan a Garden

I will plan an herb or vegetable garden for next year at my home, workplace, or community garden.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Pets

Purchase cat litter in paper recyclable bag instead of plastic

OKO brand sells litter in paper bags. I buy from them for this reason. I can recycle the paper bag instead of tossing a huge plastic bag. Thanks OKOCAT!

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Write letters, emails or sign petitions

I will write or sign 1 letters, emails or petitions to advocate my position on plastic-free policies.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Make Green Cleaners

I will make 5 of my own cleaning products (cleaners, detergents, soaps) instead of buying them in new spray bottles each time.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

On-the-go

Improve recycling at work

I will encourage my workplace to improve their recycling program.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

On-the-go

Educate WSF on correct Organics, Recycling and Trash containers to put waste in at work.

I see contamination in the Organics, Recycling and Trash bins at WSF. Folks need to know what goes in what bin to reduce contamination.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Pick Up Plastic Litter

I will pick up 3 piece(s) of plastic litter each day and dispose of it responsibly.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Do an inventory of your kitchen to see how many single-use plastics you've used in the past. What are some low-waste or reusable alternatives to these commonly used products? What would your impact be if you switched all the single-use products from your inventory to reusable? Are there any items where it would be difficult to avoid plastic waste?
Suzanne Jaeger 2/13/2026 6:19 AM
I used to get pre-wrapped utensils in take out orders. I now don't do much take out due to the waste it produces. If I do, I tell the vendor to skip the plasticware, sauce cups, plastic bags, etc... I bring my own take out containers and keep a reusable bag in my purse. I have a container on my kitchen container which has chopsticks, reusable straws, and cutlery to reuse. It's great to have it out and ready to grab and go. Keep things convenient so you will remember to use them. I bring reusable cutlery in my daily work lunch and bring a napkin with me to use.
I have made reusable cloth napkins from table cloths so we no longer use paper napkins. I have a bucket of old wash cloths and rags under the sink which we use instead of paper towels to clean up spills and messes. We just wash the napkins and rags with the other towels. By not buying paper towels and paper napkins we have reduced our footprint and more trees are now growing instead of decomposing in our compost pile. Win Win!

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Suzanne Jaeger 2/09/2026 8:15 AM
On walks I make it a point to pick up plastic waste I find on the ground and carry to a trash bin.

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- Kevin Burke 2/13/2026 7:18 AM
  I do the same thing! IN spring I carry a bag for picking up stray litter.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
At Home

Which household cleaners did you try making? Have you been able to simplify your cleaning routine?
Suzanne Jaeger 2/05/2026 8:32 AM
I made vinegar and water in a spray bottle. I use this for spot cleaning and windows. Works great!!

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- Kevin Burke 2/13/2026 7:19 AM
  I use my mom's recipe, water, ammonia, vinegar, and baking soda. Cleans EVERYTHING!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

How does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?
Suzanne Jaeger 2/05/2026 8:31 AM
Litter occurs in a shared community environment. By removing litter, I am improving the health of the community. When others see me picking up litter, this creates a connection that they could do the same. It's a win win!

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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?
Suzanne Jaeger 2/03/2026 10:10 AM
I make my own cashew milk and now also make yogurt from cashew milk in a glass jar to reduce plastic. I feel empowered and engaged knowing exactly what is in my food and that there are no microplastics in my milk or yogurt. It does not take much time to make and I buy my cashews from the bulk bin at my co-op. Win win!!

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- Suzanne Jaeger 2/03/2026 11:00 AM
  I use a 1970's vintage yogurt maker from my Mother i think called YogoMagic. It comes with a plastic container insert, but I now use a glass quart jar insert instead to eliminate that plastic. There are MANY ways to make yogurt. I have placed in a bowl in the oven wrapped in a towel when I was living in Brooklyn. I have heard folks using their appliances also like hot pot, but I don't have one of those. Keep looking you will figure it out. I also use probiotics capsules if I don't have leftover yogurt as a starter.
  
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- Katherine Boyce 2/03/2026 10:44 AM
  I make yogurt from cow's milk (bought in glass jars with a deposit, which is a bonus!) but I've never tried cashews — do you use an instant pot or another method?
  
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Suzanne Jaeger 2/02/2026 7:19 AM
Tell the group what you would like to get out of the Plastic Free Challenge this year!!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
At Home

Besides having access to fresh herbs and vegetables, what benefits will you see from growing your own garden?
Suzanne Jaeger 2/02/2026 7:13 AM
I volunteered for the Friends Plant Sale this year. I am very excited to find new plants to increase food production in my city lot. I will review the plant sale catalog and pick plants out before I go shopping so I don't purchase too much.

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