
H McCrillis
"Continue reducing my family’s plastic waste and learning new ways to do so."
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,400 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO250pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO280pieces of plastic cutlerynot sent to the landfill
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UP TO280pieces of litterpicked up
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UP TO10plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO10public officials or leaderscontacted
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UP TO280conversationswith people
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UP TO140minutesspent learning
H's actions
Community
Pick Up Plastic Litter
I will pick up 10 piece(s) of plastic litter each day and dispose of it responsibly.
On-the-go
Use Reusable Utensils
I will keep 10 pieces of plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.
At Home
REUSE TRASH BAGS BEFORE PURCHASING NEW
I will reuse existing bags such as pet food bags, grocery bags, or online shopping bags to line my trash bins (or go without plastic liners) and offset using as many new bags as possible.
At Home
Make Green Cleaners
I will make 10 of my own cleaning products (cleaners, detergents, soaps) instead of buying them in new spray bottles each time.
Food
Stop Buying Water
I will stop buying water and instead use water from the tap or invest in a water filter if water quality is a concern.
Community
Write letters, emails or sign petitions
I will write or sign 10 letters, emails or petitions to advocate my position on plastic-free policies.
Community
Support a Sharing Economy
I will support the sharing economy by joining a community tool exchange, toy library, or buy nothing group.
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.
Community
Advocate For More Food Packaging Options
I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, or at work.
Community
REDUCE MY MILES DRIVEN
I will cut down the miles I drive to reduce microplastic shedding from tires. Alternatives include riding public transit, walking, biking, carpooling and combining trips.
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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H McCrillis 2/28/2025 1:31 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
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Brandon Rathbun 2/28/2025 2:35 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
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H McCrillis 2/28/2025 1:11 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
And so, the last day for recording our efforts here. We know, however, the true challenge against single use plastic never truly ends. Let’s use what we have learned and actions we’ve done to keep our communities, state, nation, and planet clean.
It has an honor to communicate with, learn from, get back in touch with, and meet all of you- even those that never posted on the feed. 🫡
As for my first step, I’ll be purchasing a Ridwell as I’ve discussed. I’m trying to figure out, though, if I’ll have enough room for the box on my front steps. My side steps would probably have more room.
I’ll also be reducing my bathroom and laundry room waste. Might possibly also be able to clean out the playhouse and garage this year.
Thanks once again for all your efforts and successes,
H McCrillis.-
Michelle B 2/28/2025 6:07 AM- 24-DAY STREAK
Thank you for your great posts and for your leadership. You are very encouraging! And, how much you personally embody sustainability and being plastic-free is inspiring. See you next time! -
Dustin Pelikan 2/28/2025 5:46 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
Well said Heather. Thank you for all that you have taught me and helping bring awareness to myself and the community on good habits.
Looking forward to seeing you next year.
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H McCrillis 2/28/2025 12:54 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
So since we can all access 2025’s results, I’m going to list all of 2024’s results.
- 29,311 minutes learning.
- 5,191 pounds of carbon dioxide had been saved.
- 2,841 disposable cups weren’t sent to landfills.
- 2,813 bottles weren’t sent to landfills.
- 2,378 pieces of litter were picked up.
- 2,295 pieces of cutlery were not sent to landfills.
- 1,942 zero-waste meals consumed.
- 1,592 plastic straws not sent to landfills.
- 607 + 266 pounds of waste recycled. (I don’t know which waste they’re counting for these.)
- 490 pounds of packaging waste avoided.
- 362 advocacy actions completed.
- 178 conversations with people.
- 52 waste audits conducted.
- 49 documentaries watched.
- 12 public officials or leaders contacted.
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H McCrillis 2/27/2025 2:13 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
If you did read my partial comparison of this year’s results versus last year’s- which categories we improved on - thank you. 🙂
We have so far prevented 2,671 bottles from being sent to the landfill compared to 2024’s 2,813 bottles. However, I’m not sure about which action(s) were used to calculate the “bottles not sent to the landfill” impact.
The “Stop buying plastic bottles” option is only a one-time action, and I know I can easily recycle over ten bottles while just waiting at any bus stop in either Hennepin or Ramsey County. I’d estimate I’ve kept about 50 to 60 away from landfills this month. ♻️🚌-
Brandon Rathbun 2/27/2025 2:41 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
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H McCrillis 2/26/2025 3:34 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
So I’ve been comparing our collective 2025 results so far to the total from 2024.
The major improvement we’ve made is the amount of carbon dioxide saved! 10,601 pounds so far, 5,191 pounds saved in 2024. 🙌🏽
The other improvements:- 3,711 zero waste meals consumed vs 1,942.
- 574 pounds of packaging waste recycled vs 490 pounds.
- 394 conversations with people vs 178.
- 63 documentaries watched vs 49 watched.
- 22 public officials or leaders contacted vs 12 contacted.
Congratulations on the improvement! 😃 -
H McCrillis 2/25/2025 2:28 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
So I noticed the reflection question regarding alternative toothpaste. I own a bamboo toothbrush from Free the Ocean and know that dental floss that isn’t made from plastic exists, but are there still mouthwashes that aren’t in plastic bottles?-
Michelle B 2/25/2025 6:05 AM- 24-DAY STREAK
I haven't tried them, but I hear there are mouthwash tablets that dissolve in your mouth, and, that you dissolve water. I would *hope* you could get the liquid form dispensed at a bulk store sometime. I need to find that plastic-free floss!
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H McCrillis 2/25/2025 1:56 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
So months back, I fell for greenwashing. The shame. 😞
I bought this. I’m contemplating joining Terracycle to participate in Colgate’s Oral Care Free Recycling Program, though, since it claims to take toothpaste cartons, toothbrushes and their outer packaging, and floss containers.-
Erin Schumacher 2/27/2025 6:26 AM- TEAM CAPTAIN
Sephora has a Terracycle bin in the store you can recycle empty toothpaste tubes and cosmetics. -
H McCrillis 2/26/2025 3:10 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
The only thing they don’t mention taking are mouthwash bottles, but most curbside recycling does collect them.
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H McCrillis 2/24/2025 12:41 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
Today was one of the few days in days I’ve actually picked up trash from outside my yard. I put a flyer for summer programs for kids in a local little library. I recycled a cardboard box in the inorganic recycling light blue bin near our neighborhood ballpark and took home a creamer’s bottle to remove the stupid plastic wrapping from it so it can actually be recycled. 😒🔪🥤-
H McCrillis 2/25/2025 2:22 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
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Brandon Rathbun 2/24/2025 2:14 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
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H McCrillis 2/23/2025 1:41 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
Well, today I helped Mom by bringing down some plastic lids to containers we may or may not still have anymore. I emptied and destroyed expired ibuprofen into a Deterra pouch and am saving the bottle for Ridwell. I also saved the film from a box of Byerly’s doughnuts. Finally, I recycled a bottle of Spray and Wash, but threw away the label, pump, - stupid things always clog! 🤬- and some bubble wrap.
TL; DR: I made up for yesterday’s unintentional avoidance. :p-
Krina Damien 2/24/2025 2:07 PM- TEAM CAPTAIN
- 28-DAY STREAK
I've never heard of these Deterra pouches! I just keep collecting expired medicines in hopes that I eventually take them to the proper disposal site. I'll have to look into these! -
Brandon Rathbun 2/23/2025 3:13 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
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H McCrillis 2/22/2025 12:46 AM- 28-DAY STREAK
I don’t think I did anything today that had much to do with plastic. 🤷🏽-
Dustin Pelikan 2/23/2025 7:20 AM- 28-DAY STREAK