Karen Flanigan

Community Team

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
137 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

plastic footprint

calculated

Karen's actions

First Steps: Start with You

Learn how plastic is made

Understanding the origins of plastic helps us see its environmental impact more clearly. I will spend 5 minutes learning how plastic is made — from fossil fuels to finished product — and reflect on how that knowledge influences my choices.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

First Steps: Start with You

Put reusables where I'll remember them

Reusables only help if we use them! I will set up a system that helps me remember my reusable bags, bottles, containers, or utensils — whether that means keeping them by the door, in my car, or in my bag.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Level Up: Influence Friends and Family

Give a small gift that helps someone reduce plastic (e.g., tote, bottle, soap bar)

Giving can be an act of change and inspiration. I will give a thoughtful, plastic-free or plastic-reducing gift — like a reusable bag, bottle, or bar soap — to someone in my life and share why I chose it.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Level Up: Influence Friends and Family

Prep a reusable kit for on-the-go

Having reusables ready and integrated into your daily routine can help you avoid single-use plastic while out and about. I will put together a kit with items like a mug, water bottle, utensils, or tote bag to take with me when I leave the house.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
First Steps: Start with You

Did your estimated plastic footprint surprise you? How does it compare to the global average? After estimating your annual use, how did it feel to put a number on it? Did it inspire a sense of urgency, or something else?
Karen Flanigan 7/16/2025 5:51 AM
My plastic footprint surprised me at first, but then when I thought about it, the average for USA would include people who don't live alone and have access to public transportation. Still, I don't think I buy as many things as some.

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- Kerry Keck 7/16/2025 6:57 AM
  I was also surprised because of my higher than USA average. I hadn't thought about (if I understand you correctly) people who live in a less urban area, and don't have a mass transit system available - the rating does assume we are all urban. The bulk of the population does live in an urban setting, but clearly the footprint system should take greater note of what is possible for rural participants. So, I am planning to take our large city mass transit more frequently.
  
  We work away at these challenges as we individually can. Thanks for participating!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
First Steps: Start with You

What routines or habits help you remember to use reusables, and what challenges have you run into?
Karen Flanigan 7/08/2025 6:14 AM
I'm usually good with putting my reusable bags back in the car before going shopping, so I'm keeping my other reusables with them.

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- Karen Flanigan 7/09/2025 5:56 AM
  Mary Hanks, the struggle is real with kitties!
  
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- Mary Hanks 7/08/2025 2:02 PM
  
  TEAM CAPTAIN
  You are a lot more organized than I am! I really have to work to remember to put the bags back in the car. I get ambushed by cats wanting to sample the results of my shopping trip, and I forget to deal with the bags. This Ecochallenge has inspired me to work harder on this.
  
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Karen Flanigan 7/07/2025 12:50 PM
My coworkers usually get a group together for Ecochallenges, but I didn't see the team name when I searched, so I'm very happy there was an option to join the Community Team!

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