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Melissa Sherlock's avatar

Melissa Sherlock

Community Team

"Be part of the solution to eliminating plastic waste."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 660 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    72
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.3
    pounds
    waste avoided
  • UP TO
    1.4
    pounds
    packaging waste avoided
  • UP TO
    2.1
    pounds
    waste recycled
  • UP TO
    91
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    155
    minutes
    spent learning

Melissa's actions

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 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Plastics 101

Know the Numbers

The numbers #1-7 on plastics tell us a lot and can help us be better recyclers. I will learn more about what the symbols on plastics mean.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

On-the-go

Use Reusable Water Bottles

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

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 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Plastics 101

Recycle Plastic Caps

I will recycle 1 plastic caps per day by placing them back on the plastic bottles before placing them in my recycling bin.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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 26
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Extend the Life of Electronics

Manufacturers want you to replace your phones every year. I will keep my phone for at least 3 years and make any necessary repairs or updates to keep it functioning as long as possible.

COMPLETED
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

Food

Ditch the Baggie

I will ditch the zippered plastic bags for food storage and switch to reusable containers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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?


  • Melissa Sherlock's avatar
    Melissa Sherlock 2/19/2025 2:40 PM
    I am working on consistently going without using straws when I eat in restaurants. I have stainless steel straws so should carry one with me in case I feel a straw is needed.

  • Melissa Sherlock's avatar
    Melissa Sherlock 2/13/2025 9:41 PM
    I'm slowing down and think I need to look at other options for daily and one-time actions, to mix things up.

  • Melissa Sherlock's avatar
    Melissa Sherlock 2/12/2025 7:55 AM
    I definitely have some habits going - using reusable water bottles, storing food in non-plastic bags (and non-plastic containers), reusing/recycling plastic, using cold water for laundry, using dryer balls instead of dryer sheets.

    • Michelle  B's avatar
      Michelle B 2/12/2025 8:24 AM
      • 24-DAY STREAK
      you're smart to track and acknowledge your good habits and wins!! congrats!

  • Melissa Sherlock's avatar
    Melissa Sherlock 2/09/2025 8:09 PM
    I did laundry today. Washed towels in hot water :( but used dryer balls instead of dryer sheets :)

  • Melissa Sherlock's avatar
    Melissa Sherlock 2/09/2025 8:03 PM
    The easiest thing for me in trying to go plastic-free is using a stainless-steel water bottle. I use that at home and bring it wherever I go so I don't have to rely on single use plastic bottles of water.

  • Melissa Sherlock's avatar
    Melissa Sherlock 2/06/2025 12:00 PM
    I am finding myself thinking about plastics a lot know. Trying to minimize my use of plastic where I have control. Trying to think critically about what plastic I include in recycling. Is the plastic a number that I can recycle in my community.

  • Melissa Sherlock's avatar
    Melissa Sherlock 2/06/2025 11:58 AM
    I brought my own reusable stainless steel water bottle to a restaurant today and was able to skip using the water cup they would have provided me...and it was plastic.

  • Melissa Sherlock's avatar
    Melissa Sherlock 2/06/2025 11:56 AM
    It wasn't hard today as I was at home all day.

  • Melissa Sherlock's avatar
    Melissa Sherlock 2/06/2025 11:54 AM
    I went to an event today where I could not bring in my own bottle for water so had to purchase a single-use plastic water bottle. I didn't like it. But, I brought home the bottle to ensure it gets recycled.

    • Karre Wagner's avatar
      Karre Wagner 2/06/2025 1:35 PM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      • 16-DAY STREAK
      I often bring home items if I notice there is no recycling available where I am!

  • Melissa Sherlock's avatar
    Melissa Sherlock 2/06/2025 11:51 AM
    A difficult part for me is trying to purchase products that don't use plastic in packaging.

    • Michelle  B's avatar
      Michelle B 2/07/2025 3:40 PM
      • 24-DAY STREAK
      no kidding! yes, agreed. trying to minimize as much as i can (not easy) and will start asking the companies to do better, i guess