Laurie Windisch

Environmental Stewardship Team

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
139 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

zero-waste meal

consumed
UP TO

0.6

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

0.1

pounds

packaging waste avoided
UP TO

50

minutes

spent learning

Laurie's 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 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Plastics 101

Estimate Your Plastic Footprint

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Plastics 101

Avoid Harmful Plastics

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

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

Plastics 101

Learn about Local Plastics Recycling

Plastics recycling is real, and it works in the Twin Cities metro area when done correctly. I will spend 15 minutes learning about how to correctly recycle plastics in the Twin Cities and where recycled plastics end up.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Plastics 101

Stop "wishcycling"

Contamination makes the recycling process more difficult. I will review which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my county and recycle only those items.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Cook Meals with Zero Plastic Waste

I will prepare 1 meal(s) at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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 1
DAILY ACTION

Plastics 101

Learn about bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastic

I will learn about what different descriptions and marketing terms mean when used on plastics.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Plastics 101

What did you learn about how to correctly recycle plastics in the Twin Cities and where recycled plastics end up? What did or didn't surprise you?
Laurie Windisch 2/12/2026 11:35 AM
I think I knew everything presented about recycling in this email, but I liked hearing the specifics about who does the recycling and what the various plastics go into.

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Laurie Windisch 2/02/2026 2:28 PM
I registered for the yogurt making class in a couple weeks. I have been saving my glass oui yogurt cups, so I’m ready!

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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?
Laurie Windisch 2/02/2026 1:47 PM
I like knowing every ingredient in what I’ve made. I feel good about making my own food.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Do an inventory of your kitchen to see how many single-use plastics you've used in the past. What are some low-waste or reusable alternatives to these commonly used products? What would your impact be if you switched all the single-use products from your inventory to reusable? Are there any items where it would be difficult to avoid plastic waste?
Laurie Windisch 2/02/2026 1:44 PM
I wish they still had glass jars for mayonnaise! The ones that do are not my favorites.

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