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Michelle Kotsagrelos's avatar

Michelle Kotsagrelos

Allegheny County

"SMALL STEPS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR YOU AND ME!"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,629 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    51
    plastic items
    avoided
  • UP TO
    1.0
    plastic footprint
    calculated
  • UP TO
    1.0
    low-plastic business
    supported
  • UP TO
    1.0
    donation
    made
  • UP TO
    45
    ideas
    shared
  • UP TO
    11
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    1.0
    community event
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    3.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    937
    minutes
    spent learning

Michelle's actions

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

Encourage my workplace to switch to reusable products

Every reusable cup, plate, or utensil at work makes a difference. I will talk with my team or leadership about switching to reusable products in shared spaces like break rooms or kitchens.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

Set up a Free Store for surplus items

Sharing or giving away unwanted items can reduce plastic waste and build community connections. I will set up or promote a free store at my workplace, school, or church to help redistribute surplus items — like office supplies, kitchenware, clothing, or books — and keep them in use rather than buying new.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Level Up: Influence Friends and Family

Keep my reusable kit with me and model it in public

My everyday choices can influence others. I will carry and use a reusable kit in public spaces, modeling plastic-reducing behaviors and showing that small changes are possible.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

Put up a sign or note about reducing plastic at a shared space (kitchen, dorm, office)

Visual cues can inspire action in shared spaces. I will place a friendly sign or reminder in a common area — like a kitchen, bathroom, or office — to encourage less plastic use and spark conversation. I’ll include a clear, specific call to action so people know exactly how to take the next step.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Level Up: Influence Friends and Family

Start a household challenge to reduce plastic

Change starts at home. I will create a fun challenge with my household — like using no single-use plastic for a day or swapping out a product — to make plastic reduction a shared goal.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

Create or distribute a guide to reducing plastic in my community, organization, or a group

Clear, accessible information makes it easier for others to take action. I will create or share a simple guide with tips, resources, or local options to help people in my community, organization, or group reduce plastic use.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

Find or suggest a refill station or reusable system

Access is key to making sustainable choices easier. I will suggest a refill station (like for water, soap, or dry goods) or a returnable container system in a space I use regularly — such as a school, office, store, or gym — to help make plastic-free options more visible and convenient for everyone.

COMPLETED
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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

First Steps: Start with You

Understand plastic labels

Those recycling numbers and symbols can be confusing. I will spend 10 minutes learning what different plastic labels mean, including what can and can’t be recycled, to make more informed choices when I shop.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Level Up: Influence Friends and Family

Host or attend a clothing swap

Fast fashion is a major source of plastic pollution. I will organize a clothing swap with friends, neighbors, or coworkers to keep clothes in use longer, reduce plastic-based textiles, and build community.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

First Steps: Start with You

Design my grocery routine for less plastic

Our grocery habits are one of the biggest sources of single-use plastic, from packaging on produce to plastic bags and containers. I will spend 10 minutes researching low-plastic shopping strategies and make a list of things to look for or do differently the next time I go to the store.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

Teach or learn a skill to extend the life of a product I have

Learning or sharing repair skills can keep useful items in use and out of the landfill. I will teach or learn a skill to extend the life of a product — like sewing, electronic repair, or furniture restoration — and share what I did with my community, workplace, or group to encourage others to do the same.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

Start a plastic reduction conversation at school, work, or a community group

Big changes often begin with one bold conversation. I will bring up the topic of reducing plastic at school, work, or in a group I’m part of, planting the seed for collective action.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Change the Game: Shift Systems and Policies

Ask a local restaurant to allow reusables or reduce packaging

Food businesses are major sources of single-use plastic. I will talk to a local café, food truck, or restaurant about allowing reusable containers, more sustainable materials, or cutting down on unnecessary plastic packaging.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Level Up: Influence Friends and Family

Swap ideas for reducing plastic with someone close to you

Sharing ideas helps us stay motivated and discover new ways to take action. I will share ideas with friends or family members about ways we each reduce plastic in our lives.

COMPLETED 31
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

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

Learn about community-level options to reduce plastic

Widespread change starts with local action and community innovation. I will spend 10 minutes learning about programs or initiatives in my area that reduce plastic use, such as third-party sanitization services, repair cafes, food gleaning, lending libraries, bulk or thrift stores, bans on single-use items, or zero-waste businesses.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Change the Game: Shift Systems and Policies

Share my voice in a public comment period

My voice can influence change. I will find out when local meetings or comment periods are happening and speak up about plastic waste or pollution in my community. Whether it’s a public forum or written comment, I’ll share my concerns to help advance more sustainable practices and policies.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

First Steps: Start with You

Support businesses with plastic-free or refillable options

Where we spend our money shapes the market. I will support a business that offers plastic-free, low-waste, or refillable products or services.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

Promote plastic awareness during an event or meeting

Events are powerful moments to inspire change. I will include a brief message, resource, or tip about reducing plastic at a meeting, celebration, or community gathering I attend or help organize.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Change the Game: Shift Systems and Policies

Donate to organizations working on systemic plastic reform

Some nonprofits are leading the charge to change policies and corporate practices. I will donate to an organization working to reduce plastic at the source and promote systemic solutions for a healthier planet.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

First Steps: Start with You

Understand Plastic’s Impact on My Health

Plastics can leach harmful chemicals into food, water, and the air we breathe. I will spend 10 minutes learning about the health impacts of plastic exposure and explore safer swaps — like choosing glass or stainless steel over plastic for food storage and drinking water.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed


  • Michelle Kotsagrelos's avatar
    Michelle Kotsagrelos 7/31/2025 5:55 AM
    • Eco-Conscious Consumer 🛍
    SMALL STEPS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE! WE DID IT ALLEGHENY COUNTY!!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Change the Game: Shift Systems and Policies
    What led you to choose this organization, and what kind of long-term impact do you hope your support will have?

    Michelle Kotsagrelos's avatar
    Michelle Kotsagrelos 7/30/2025 6:33 AM
    • Eco-Conscious Consumer 🛍

    Plastics Collaborative through Sustainable Pittsburgh. Its work is primarily around education, policy recommendations, and pilot projects.


  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Change the Game: Shift Systems and Policies
    What issue did you comment on, and what was it like to contribute your perspective to a formal decision-making process?

    Michelle Kotsagrelos's avatar
    Michelle Kotsagrelos 7/30/2025 6:31 AM
    • Eco-Conscious Consumer 🛍
    What's going on with the EPA...Enough said!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Change the Game: Shift Systems and Policies
    How did the restaurant respond, and what challenges or opportunities came up in the conversation?

    Michelle Kotsagrelos's avatar
    Michelle Kotsagrelos 7/30/2025 6:30 AM
    • Eco-Conscious Consumer 🛍
    Not good - it's cheaper to use plastic disposable containers. But, I can be hopeful.

    • Sonam R's avatar
      Sonam R 7/30/2025 6:45 AM
      • Plant Parent 🪴
      Actually expressed concerns over leakage in trying to use biodegradable packing and people not being comfortable carrying their own boxes to the pickup area.

  • Michelle Kotsagrelos's avatar
    Michelle Kotsagrelos 7/30/2025 6:27 AM
    • Eco-Conscious Consumer 🛍
    Always learn about reducing plastic use!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Lead the Way: Shape Your Community
    What kinds of items do you think people are most likely to give and take at a free store? How might creating a space for sharing change people’s habits around buying new?

    Michelle Kotsagrelos's avatar
    Michelle Kotsagrelos 7/29/2025 1:21 PM
    • Eco-Conscious Consumer 🛍
    If items are still in boxes (never used) and are collecting dust at home, taking them to a shared space (or donate to Good Will) will help reduce unwanted waste.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Lead the Way: Shape Your Community
    What are some of the cases you could make to an organization or group for why switching to sustainable materials or reusables is actually in their best interest as well?

    Michelle Kotsagrelos's avatar
    Michelle Kotsagrelos 7/29/2025 1:19 PM
    • Eco-Conscious Consumer 🛍
    Using less plastic is always a win win for everyone. Less garbage, less waste, better world.
  • 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?

    Michelle Kotsagrelos's avatar
    Michelle Kotsagrelos 7/29/2025 1:17 PM
    • Eco-Conscious Consumer 🛍
    Yes. It's about average - I thought it would be higher. But there is always room for improvement!

  • Michelle Kotsagrelos's avatar
    Michelle Kotsagrelos 7/29/2025 1:16 PM
    • Eco-Conscious Consumer 🛍
    Choose plastic free toys!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Lead the Way: Shape Your Community
    What did you notice about how access — or lack of access — to reuse options shapes behavior in your community or organization?

    Michelle Kotsagrelos's avatar
    Michelle Kotsagrelos 7/28/2025 6:54 AM
    • Eco-Conscious Consumer 🛍
    At my church we are looking into a refillable bottle station with our water fountain, since more and more people are bringing their own water bottles to events.