Linda Behan
7/28/2025 8:56 AM
We discussed what options we had in the house to store produce when we brought it home and the leftovers.
Linda Behan
"To reduce the use of plastics and the amount recyclable plastics in landfills."
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 272 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO1.0low-plastic mealconsumed
-
UP TO1.0plastic footprintcalculated
-
UP TO5.0plastic itemsavoided
-
UP TO1.0advocacy actioncompleted
Linda's actions
Change the Game: Shift Systems and Policies
Support a plastic or climate advocacy campaign
Advocacy campaigns can drive real change by amplifying public support. I will find and support a campaign — through a donation, signature, or share — that’s working to reduce plastic pollution or address the climate impacts of plastic.
Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
Prepare a low-plastic meal with a friend or family member
Reducing plastic can be easier — and more fun — when shared. I will plan and prepare a meal with friends or family that minimizes single-use packaging and plastic waste.
First Steps: Start with You
Estimate My Plastic Consumption
Understanding my plastic footprint is a powerful first step toward making change. I will complete a short online plastic calculator, like the one from rePurpose Global, to estimate my annual plastic use and explore ways to reduce it.
Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
Create a reminder system or routine for remembering reusables
Even the best intentions can be forgotten in the rush of daily life. I will create a system — like a note on the door or a checklist — to help me and others in my household remember to grab our reusables before we go.
First Steps: Start with You
Swap one product for a refillable or plastic-free option
Even small swaps can add up to big impact. I will replace one product I use regularly — like soap, cleaning spray, or snacks — with a refillable or plastic-free version.
Participant Feed
-
Linda Behan 7/28/2025 8:59 AMI swapped beeswax fabric for plastic wrap and I find it works good for bowls. I haven’t use it to wrap individual items yet.-
Jennifer Klotz 7/28/2025 5:44 PM- TEAM CAPTAIN
- Earth Advocate 📣
I'm ready to do this too Linda so I'm glad to know of someone trying it out along with me. I hope it works well and doesn't make you wish you had plastic wrap :D
-
-
REFLECTION QUESTION
Level Up: Influence Friends and FamilyHow did planning and preparing the meal together affect the conversation about plastic? Did it inspire any new habits?
-
Linda Behan 7/28/2025 8:54 AMThe challenge definitely made me more aware of plastics I use on daily basis and making me stop and think before I automatically reach for plastic. It makes me think what I can use instead. I even have made comments to my family regarding their use of plastics.-
Jennifer Klotz 7/28/2025 5:46 PM- TEAM CAPTAIN
- Earth Advocate 📣
Woohoo! This is exactly what it's for so I'm thrilled you joined us. Keep educating yourself and others on this important topic.
-
-
Linda Behan 7/11/2025 9:07 AMToday I added "Bring reusable bags" to the top of my grocery list in my iPhone. I keep re-using the same list, so I don't need to remember to add it back in every week. I did this because even though I already keep my reusable bags in my trunk, I sometimes walk into the store without getting the bags first. The " bring reusable bags" is always visible, I don't need to open the list first.-
Jennifer Klotz 7/14/2025 3:05 PM- TEAM CAPTAIN
- Earth Advocate 📣
Great idea Linda!! Funny how that option has always existed for you, but it didn't click until you started this EcoChallenge. It's having an effect on your behavior, which is exactly the point! Pretty soon you won't need that reminder as it will be second nature. Just have to build the habit.
-
-
Linda Behan 7/10/2025 12:11 PMToday I calculated my plastic consumption. On a daily basis I use very little plastic. I found on the monthly it was the food containers that was the most. I also realized to lower that I’d have to resist the urge to use zip-lock type bags and more consistently use my glass storage containers. I may need to divide up the food differently but that shouldn’t be hard to do. I need to be more aware of what I’m doing. -
Linda Behan 7/09/2025 10:53 AMThe activity of making a low plastic meal for my family opened my eyes to all the plastics in the produce section of the grocery store. I must admit I didn't pay as much attention as I did when purchasing produce for the meal. I realized how often I used the small plastic bags for the produce. Let's just say, that's something I can easily change going forward.-
Jennifer Klotz 7/14/2025 3:12 PM- TEAM CAPTAIN
- Earth Advocate 📣
Another behavior change happening before our eyes! Ugh, the plastic produce bags. They drive me nuts. A while ago, I purchased reusable versions and they get a lot of use! It's so frustrating to see someone put something like an onion in the plastic bags. For starters, it's only 1 thing, it doesn't need to be bagged. And two, it has its own wrapper so it won't be contaminated touching the cart or conveyor belt. Even if it doesn't, like an apple, just wash them thoroughly. My friend laughs at herself when she buys a bunch of them without a bag because she has to corral them rolling around. Keep an eye out for wrapped and unwrapped options. I find this most often with cauliflower. Right next to each other are some sealed in plastic wrap and others that are "bare". Easy choice for me!
-
-
Linda Behan 7/09/2025 10:40 AMI made a weekday dinner for my son's family. I avoided the prepacked produce and using the small plastic bags for fresh produce, except for the potatoes because I purchased several of them. The one other item that had plastic was the meat was covered with plastic. I used my reusable plastic bags to transport the items to my son's home. -
Linda Behan 7/07/2025 10:59 AMToday I was reading the fact sheets on the EarthDay.org-End Plastics website. I was blown away by the staggering amount of plastics used worldwide and how so little of it is recycled. I actually began feeling anxious about it all. I was upset and angry reading what is acceptable to put into pet food and pet toys and how animals can become ill from these.-
Jennifer Klotz 7/07/2025 6:56 PM- TEAM CAPTAIN
- Earth Advocate 📣
It's amazing what you find when you start digging huh Linda? This ecochallenge educates me every year and I try to use any anger or anxiety I receive from it as fuel to find a change I can make while also passing along the information I learned. It's true what they say- knowledge is power!
-
-
REFLECTION QUESTION
Change the Game: Shift Systems and PoliciesWhy did this campaign resonate with you, and how do you think collective action like this can create change?
Linda Behan 7/07/2025 10:53 AMThis campaign resonated with me because of its comprehensive approach to reducing plastics. The organization works with governments, corporations, all the way down to the grass-roots level. As people become more aware of the dangers of plastics, they can voice their concerns to corporations and governments and advocate for changes in practices. Government agencies can change policies and regulations and corporations can explore new ways to produce safer products.-
Jennifer Klotz 7/07/2025 6:57 PM- TEAM CAPTAIN
- Earth Advocate 📣
-