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Maria Elisa Palacios Efsits's avatar

Maria Elisa Palacios Efsits

U.S. Bank Plastic Free Avengers

"Here to do my part!"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 526 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    161
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    28
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    waste audit
    conducted
  • UP TO
    0.9
    pounds
    waste avoided
  • UP TO
    4.0
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    28
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    60
    minutes
    spent learning

Maria Elisa's actions

Plastics 101

Read a book on plastics

I will learn more about the issues with plastics by picking up one of the books recommended by Hennepin County Library.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

DITCH DISPOSABLES AT YOUR PARTY

I will avoid using disposables, such as balloons, table covers and single-use favors as well as disposable plates, cups and utensils for special occasions.

COMPLETED 13
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

Plastics 101

Avoid Harmful Plastics

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

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Make Green Cleaners

I will make  4 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

Visit a packaging-free store

I will visit a co-op or zero waste store to check out my local options for bulk products and plastic-free items.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Plastics 101

Complete a waste audit

I will spend 60 minutes conducting a waste audit- including recyclables and compost- to understand how much plastic waste I create and where I can reduce the most.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

WASH COLD, LINE DRY

I will wash my clothing in cold water and hang it to dry to reduce the amount of microplastic shedding and to prolong the life of my garments.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Home
    How do you tackle hang drying clothes during cold winter months?

    Maria Elisa Palacios Efsits's avatar
    Maria Elisa Palacios Efsits 2/02/2026 7:21 AM
    I have old radiators, so we made a retractable line that goes over two of the big ones where we hang items.

    • Julie DURR's avatar
      Julie DURR 2/02/2026 9:37 AM
      I keep a folding clothing rack in the laundry room to hang clothes for drying during the winter months. I've been using it for years, and it performs excellently. I even bring it along when I go camping to hang our towels on it.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    On-the-go
    Did you find anything at the store that you didn't expect? What was it, and did you find it useful?

    Maria Elisa Palacios Efsits's avatar
    Maria Elisa Palacios Efsits 2/02/2026 6:45 AM
    I didn't expect to find so many whole-dry herbs!

    • Julie DURR's avatar
      Julie DURR 2/02/2026 6:58 AM
      I started to see more herbs and spices being kept in glass containers vs plastic. Which means you could buy in bulk and reuse the jar.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    How did you decorate for your party? How will you use these decorations again?

    Maria Elisa Palacios Efsits's avatar
    Maria Elisa Palacios Efsits 2/02/2026 6:40 AM
    Made a reusable banner with felt letters that velcro in place so you can move them around as needed and did not use single use dinnerware.

    • Julie DURR's avatar
      Julie DURR 2/02/2026 7:06 AM
      I utilized dried flowers for party favors and included sachet bags, allowing them to be recycled and reused as sachets if guests desired.