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Austin Lane's avatar

Austin Lane

Three Rivers Park District Staff

"My mission is to embrace a sustainable lifestyle by conscientiously reducing my reliance on plastic. Through intentional choices and continuous learning, I am committed to exploring eco-friendly alternatives, advocating for mindful consumption, and inspiring those around me to join in the effort. I aim to create a positive impact on the environment, fostering a healthier planet for my own well-being and that of future generations."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,026 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    25
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    19
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.8
    pounds
    packaging waste avoided
  • UP TO
    1.5
    pounds
    waste avoided
  • UP TO
    12
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved

Austin's actions

On-the-go

Skip the Straw

I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY 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.

COMPLETED 25
DAILY 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 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Switch to a natural loofah or wash cloth

I will replace my synthetic loofah with a natural loofah or wash cloth.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Switch to a Plastic-Free Shave

I will replace my disposable plastic razors with a steel safety razor.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Buy better gum

I will give up gum or choose gum made from chicle or other plastic-free gum bases.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Reuse Trash Bags Instead of Purchasing New

I will reuse existing bags such as pet food bags, grocery bags, or online shopping bags instead of buying any new bags to line my trash containers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Skip the Dryer Sheets

I will replace dryer sheets with a reusable alternative or use nothing at all.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Ditch the Disposable Cleaning Wipes

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Buy Unpackaged Produce

I will avoid 2 plastic bags each shopping trip by not bagging my produce or using reusable produce bags.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

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?


  • Austin Lane's avatar
    Austin Lane 2/22/2024 12:25 PM
    And the countdown begins, only 1 week left in the challenge. Keep it going everyone!!!

    • Dustin Pelikan's avatar
      Dustin Pelikan 2/27/2024 6:20 AM
      agreed - sad to end but it's great if we can all take something away and keep up with the plastic-free lifestyle.

    • Laurie Kilfoy 's avatar
      Laurie Kilfoy 2/25/2024 8:38 PM
      Absolutely. I kind of hate to see it end. I check in on what others are doing; it inspires me.

  • Austin Lane's avatar
    Austin Lane 2/16/2024 12:19 PM
    Half way through the month, hope everyone is doing well in the challenge! Keep it going!!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Home Skip the Dryer Sheets
    How difficult (or easy!) has it been for you to cut dryer sheets from your laundry routine?

    Austin Lane's avatar
    Austin Lane 2/16/2024 12:18 PM
    Getting rid of single use dryer sheets has been going really well so far. Helps, that I just forget sometimes but I think my laundry is doing just fine without them!

  • Austin Lane's avatar
    Austin Lane 2/13/2024 8:40 AM
    Watching the Super Bowl this year as the confetti was falling I was thinking to myself if it was biodegradable. This challenge has been getting me to think about how plastic is everywhere and how we can find better alternatives.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    On-the-go Skip the Straw
    Have you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.

    Austin Lane's avatar
    Austin Lane 2/12/2024 11:51 AM
    We got to save the turtles! say no to straws!

  • Austin Lane's avatar
    Austin Lane 2/12/2024 11:48 AM
    Need a film to watch about plastic? "Microplastic Madness" (2019): This documentary follows a group of fifth-graders in Brooklyn as they learn about and take action against plastic pollution. It provides a unique perspective on the issue and the importance of youth involvement in environmental initiatives.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Buy Unpackaged Produce
    Why do you think these products have so much plastic packaging? Who is the plastic packaging really serving -- the consumer, the producer, or someone else?

    Austin Lane's avatar
    Austin Lane 2/10/2024 9:56 AM
    One thing that seems so silly to me is when there are multiple things within a package that are individually wrapped. For example if you make a frozen Kung Pow Chicken meal from Trader Joes, the vegetables are packaged, the peanuts are packaged, the sauce is packaged. Seems like some of these things could be combined to have less plastic packaging.

  • Austin Lane's avatar
    Austin Lane 2/10/2024 9:52 AM
    Don't forget:
    Glass jars are commonly recycled, but people sometimes discard the metal lids. Both the glass jar and its metal lid can usually be recycled, so be sure to include both components in the recycling bin.

  • Austin Lane's avatar
    Austin Lane 2/09/2024 12:19 PM
    Don't forget:

    Clean aluminum foil and trays are recyclable. Make sure they are free of food residue, and then ball them up before recycling.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Personal Care Switch to a Plastic-Free Shave
    What has been your experience with switching to a plastic-free razor? Was there ever really a need for disposable razors?

    Austin Lane's avatar
    Austin Lane 2/09/2024 12:18 PM
    Plastic razors are a scam anyways, I like switching away from them!