Anna Abruzzesse
2/27/2023 7:03 AM
The biggest shift I've seen is cups for cold drinks coming with a spout so that a straw isn't necessary. From McDonalds to Caribou, more companies are making the switch.
Anna Abruzzesse
Points Total
- 0 Today
- 0 This Week
- 446 Total
Participant Impact
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up to13pounds of CO2have been saved
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up to3.1poundspackaging waste avoided
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up to18pieces of plastic cutlerynot sent to the landfill
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up to18plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
Anna's Actions
Community
Share My Actions
I will make my low-waste actions visible by posting to my social media networks.
Community
Donate Zero Waste Period Products
I will contact a local support organization and donate reusable menstrual products to reduce the financial burden to access them.
Personal Care
Switch to a Plastic-Free Shave
I will replace my disposable plastic razors with a steel safety razor.
On-the-go
Skip the Straw
I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.
On-the-go
Use Reusable Utensils
I will keep 1 pieces of plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.
Food
Skip Single-Use Plastic for Freezing Food
I will use reusable containers when freezing food and opt for glass or metal when purchasing new containers.
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.
At Home
Choose Natural Clothing Fibers
I will purchase clothing made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, acrylic or spandex.
At Home
Ditch the Plastic Dry Cleaning Bags
I will call ahead to ask if I can bring my own garment bag to the dry cleaner or request no bag.
Feed
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Reflection QuestionOn-the-go Skip the StrawHave you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.
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Reflection QuestionFood Skip Single-Use Plastic for Freezing FoodHow easy or difficult have you found this task? Is there a way you could rearrange your freezer to make this work better?
Anna Abruzzesse 2/22/2023 11:25 AMThis is pretty easy to do, if you are starting with a product that is not frozen. The challenge is not buying pre-packaged frozen items that come with the wasteful packaging. -
Reflection QuestionAt Home Choose Natural Clothing FibersWhat are the benefits (to people, animals, and the environment) of purchasing clothes made with natural fibers?
Anna Abruzzesse 2/22/2023 11:24 AMI haven't done much research on this, but from what I can tell it uses less water, doesn't leach micro plastics into our water, and is more likely able to biodegrade at the end of its life. -
Reflection QuestionFood Make Your OwnHow 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?
Anna Abruzzesse 2/22/2023 11:22 AMIt takes time, but is rewarding. I usually have a pre-packaged bar for breakfast, but didn't like all the waste that came with it. So I took some time to make my own this week, which I enjoyed, and was able to cut out the packaging as well as some of the sugar for a healthier, more filling, breakfast. Win-win-win! -
Reflection QuestionCommunity Share My ActionsIn what ways is social media an effective tool for sharing your values?
Anna Abruzzesse 2/09/2023 6:30 AMSocial media connects me to friends and family, and sometimes their extended networks. By sharing my zero waste journey, I can help normalize a new, healthier, set of behaviors. I can help promote companies that champion zero waste and encourage others to think critically about what they use. -
Reflection QuestionAt Home Ditch the Plastic Dry Cleaning BagsNot only does dry cleaning create plastic waste, but some dry cleaning processes also use harmful chemicals. What do you do to minimize the amount of dry cleaning you have done?
Anna Abruzzesse 2/03/2023 7:11 PMI've stopped buying dry clean only clothes and go as long as I can before taking in those that need it. -
Reflection QuestionPersonal Care Switch to a Plastic-Free ShaveWhat has been your experience with switching to a plastic-free razor? Was there ever really a need for disposable razors?
Anna Abruzzesse 2/03/2023 7:02 AMI just ordered a metal razor with replaceable blades that can be recycled through the company (Leaf). I had been using a plastic reusable razor with replaceable plastic heads, so the waste was less- but not as good as it could be. I'm looking forward to having a good tool that can last a lifetime. -
Reflection QuestionCommunity Donate Zero Waste Period ProductsHow can having access to zero waste period products help people who menstruate overcome barriers to education or other opportunities?
Anna Abruzzesse 2/03/2023 7:00 AMreusable menstrual products can have a high up-front cost, but a big impact on waste production. By donating, I can help eliminate barriers for others to have sustainable, environmentally friendly, low-cost hygiene products. -
Anna Abruzzesse 1/26/2023 1:39 PMYay! The team is starting to take shape! Thanks for joining me on this journey.
Did you know it takes roughly 450 years for a single disposable diaper to decompose?! I learned that in a middle school science fair and have been haunted by it ever since. Once I had a kid of my own, that specter became harder to ignore. Turns out that is the same timeframe for plastic bottles- with other plastics taking up to 1000 years. That made me rethink a number of things I buy and use in my home. I hope this challenge will take me further on that journey and help me continue to reduce more plastic waste in my life.