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  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Plastics 101
    Do some research on polystyrene and polyvinyl. How many items in your house already contain these toxins?

    Kristin Mellstrom's avatar
    Kristin Mellstrom 2/27/2026 9:57 AM
    Most of our plastics are LDPE and HDPE, but take out containers are still often made of cheaper plastics like PS that can't be recycled. I guess I should just eat in the restaurant rather than getting take out in the future!
  • 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?

    Kristin Mellstrom's avatar
    Kristin Mellstrom 2/27/2026 9:53 AM
    When I order products online, I ask for original packages when that's an option so socks or whatever just come in the manufacturer's cardboard box rather than an extra plastic envelope or bigger box with plastic bubble wrap. I like this new option offered by more online businesses.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    On-the-go
    Can you think of any scenarios where using your own bottle is harder? How can you make sure not to get a disposable bottle in that case?

    Kristin Mellstrom's avatar
    Kristin Mellstrom 2/27/2026 9:50 AM
    Often at conferences, there are plastic water bottles provided with box lunches. Maybe skipping the plastic bottle and just providing paper cups to fill from a pitcher or at the drinking fountain would work instead. That's what my team did for our meetings with external partners, both to save money and the environment!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    On-the-go
    Have you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.

    Kristin Mellstrom's avatar
    Kristin Mellstrom 2/27/2026 9:48 AM
    I see more paper straws from vendors - Yay! - and people using stainless steel straws at work (and in my home).

  • Kristin Mellstrom's avatar
    Kristin Mellstrom 2/24/2026 9:21 AM
    Ava and I got these after she did a report about the Pacific Garbage Patch. The judgy one felt a little too mean-spirited to put on my water bottle, so I just stuck it to my bulletin board instead! :)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Home
    What maintenance steps do you take to keep your electronics in good working order?

    Kris Kaus's avatar
    Kris Kaus 2/04/2026 2:12 PM
    Perform regular updates, use case/bag protectors.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Plastics 101
    Which documentary did you choose to watch? What did you learn?

    Sharon Kolbe's avatar
    Sharon Kolbe 2/03/2026 1:10 PM
    Plastic Wars - I learned how the oil/plastics industries have promoted recycling as a way out of the plastic contamination disaster the world is in. With climate change and a focus on reducing emissions, single-use plastics are going to be those companies' main product, so they will double-down on green-washing and other tactics to keep those products in demand.