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Deb Rodahl's avatar

Deb Rodahl

Environmental Stewardship Team

"Leave the world a better place."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 287 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    3.8
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.4
    pounds
    packaging waste avoided
  • UP TO
    0.9
    pounds
    waste recycled
  • UP TO
    1.0
    disposable cup
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    25
    minutes
    spent learning

Deb's 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 1
DAILY ACTION

Plastics 101

Recycle Plastic Bags

Instead of trashing them, I will recycle 1 plastic bags per day bringing them to a drop-off or special pickup

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Plastics 101

Avoid Harmful Plastics

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

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Skip Single-Use Plastic for Freezing Food

I will use reusable containers when freezing food and opt for glass or metal when purchasing new containers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Pets

Try a Pet Shampoo Bar

I will replace my pet's shampoo with a shampoo bar.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Ditch the plastic baggies or wrap

I will ditch zippered plastic bags and/or plastic wrap and switch to reusable containers or wrap for food storage.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Choose Natural Clothing Fibers

I will purchase clothing made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, acrylic or spandex. Try prioritizing buying used clothing before buying new.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Pets
    How has the pet shampoo bar worked compared to what you were using before?

    Deb Rodahl's avatar
    Deb Rodahl 2/13/2026 7:16 AM
    Is anyone aware of a "purchase local" option for pet shampoo bars?
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Home
    What are the benefits (to people, animals, and the environment) of purchasing clothes made with natural fibers?

    Deb Rodahl's avatar
    Deb Rodahl 2/13/2026 7:14 AM
    It feels good to purchase clothes, bed linens, and bath/kitchen towels in sustainable fibers. I have found a lot of towels and bed linens in bamboo and recycled fibers that are soft and work better than non-natural fibers. I still need to work on this for clothing!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Home
    What are some of the challenges or benefits you have experienced using reused bags instead of a bag purposely designed to hold trash?

    Deb Rodahl's avatar
    Deb Rodahl 2/13/2026 7:11 AM
    Bags are smaller - so they don't fit my waste basket, but am to partially hold them on the top edge of the basket. I tie them when full and just put another on top which helps hold the 2nd bag in place. I am curious which option is better - reuse bags from the store or avoid getting any bags from the store and using purchased trash bags?

    • Brenda Misukanis's avatar
      Brenda Misukanis 2/13/2026 7:21 AM
      We re-use them as much as possible and the 'hardest part' is then determining when they do finally need to be replaced... Usually we do so only if/when something 'sticky/gunky' has now stuck to the bag itself, or someone in my family has thrown something stinky or sharp in it and has now 'punctured' the bag. (Unfortunately on the last one - it being damaged/punctured) we don't realize it until it is too late and then have to wash out the tras can itself!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    On-the-go
    Great job on getting rid of your disposable cup habit! How does it make you feel? Are there any situations where you still struggle to use a reusable mug?

    Deb Rodahl's avatar
    Deb Rodahl 2/09/2026 7:16 AM
    I don't go to the coffee shop every day, but when I do, I plan to have a re-usable cup in my car to be filled by the coffee shop! I find that the coffee shops (generally the same 3 that I might stop at) are happy to do this!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    Which method did you try? Do you prefer reusable containers or reusable wraps?

    Deb Rodahl's avatar
    Deb Rodahl 2/06/2026 10:13 AM
    I save some plastic containers for refrigerating and freezing leftovers. In addition, I found containers that are measured for freezing liquids, like orange juice, milk, and other items that then allow me to take what I need out of the freezer.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Plastics 101
    Has separating your plastic bags for recycling helped you identify how you might reduce how many you have? What are you doing differently now?

    Deb Rodahl's avatar
    Deb Rodahl 2/02/2026 7:12 AM
    I keep a bag in the garage where I put all bags to be recycled. It works out great and I take it for recycling when I can't shove any more eligible bags/wraps in the collection bag. I have significantly reduced the number of shopping bags by using cloth bags for my shopping and mesh bags to use for fruit and produce at the grocery story.