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Mark Windels's avatar

Mark Windels

Wagner

"Reducing my carbon footprint."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 976 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    17
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    32
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    3.2
    pounds
    packaging waste avoided
  • UP TO
    2.7
    pounds
    waste recycled
  • UP TO
    32
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    130
    minutes
    spent learning

Mark's actions

Plastics 101

Put compostable plastics in the right place 

I will make sure any BPI-certified compostable plastic products I use will be disposed of correctly by putting them in my curbside compost/food scraps bin or taking them to a drop-off location and not placing them in the regular recycling.

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

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

Plastics 101

Estimate Your Plastic Footprint

I will complete a plastic consumption calculator to learn about my plastic footprint.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Make Your Own

I will try a new recipe or food preparation method, such as canning, pickling, making yogurt, or baking granola bars or bread.

COMPLETED 25
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 25
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 22
DAILY ACTIONS

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 22
DAILY ACTIONS

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 25
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed


  • Mark Windels's avatar
    Mark Windels 2/27/2026 9:15 AM
    Only 2 days left of this plastic free challenge. How many of you will continue with your new habits on reducing single use of plastics? Not cynical just an honest question.

    • Katherine Boyce's avatar
      Katherine Boyce 2/27/2026 10:00 AM
      This was my third year participating, and this year was a nice reminder of how many habits from past challenges I've completely integrated into my life now!

  • Mark Windels's avatar
    Mark Windels 2/26/2026 11:06 AM
    Just 2.5 days left of this Plastic-Free journey. We can all still pull together as a team for a strong finish!

  • Mark Windels's avatar
    Mark Windels 2/23/2026 4:36 AM
    Here it is! The homestretch of the Plastic-free challenge. Now it's time to hunker down and make that final effort!

  • Mark Windels's avatar
    Mark Windels 2/22/2026 12:23 PM
    Today is the last day of the 2026 Winte Olympics. Will Norway make the sweep?

  • Mark Windels's avatar
    Mark Windels 2/22/2026 12:21 PM
    Last day of the winter Olympics!

  • Mark Windels's avatar
    Mark Windels 2/20/2026 4:33 AM
    Don't plan too much and you will still feel recharged for the next week's beginning. Enjoy the weekend everyone.

  • Mark Windels's avatar
    Mark Windels 2/16/2026 7:48 AM
    Wow! I am really making a difference during this challenge!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    On-the-go
    Why do you think Styrofoam is still so common despite what we know about its health effects? How do you think we can collectively move away from using it?

    Mark Windels's avatar
    Mark Windels 2/10/2026 4:24 AM
    We can use shredded recycled cardboard as a first attempt.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    How do you feel about being more involved in the food preparation process? Joyful, overwhelmed, engaged, empowered? What are the benefits of choosing to process or produce your own food instead of buying it pre-processed?

    Mark Windels's avatar
    Mark Windels 2/10/2026 4:22 AM
    I get to feel a bit of control of what goes into my body.

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Home
    What are the benefits (to people, animals, and the environment) of purchasing clothes made with natural fibers?

    Mark Windels's avatar
    Mark Windels 2/10/2026 4:20 AM
    We reduce the number of plastic fibers within our daily usage.