Laurel Bieschke

Community Team

"Just a simple-livin' lady trying to do my part to preserve this planet for future generations. "

Points Total

0 Today
0 This Week
704 Total

Participant Impact

up to

12

pounds of CO2

have been saved
up to

1

documentaries

watched
up to

90

minutes

spent learning
up to

8

pounds

packaging waste avoided
up to

2

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
up to

0

pounds

waste avoided

Laurel's Actions

Personal Care

Use Plastic-Free Beauty Packaging

I will use beauty products that come in plastic-free packaging, refillable packaging, or I will make my own.

Uncompleted
One-Time Action

Food

Shop the Bulk Bins

I will purchase 2 products from the bulk section of a grocery store using my own containers.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Shop Used

I will buy secondhand goods to reduce the demand for new plastic products and avoid packaging.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Buy Reusable Bathroom Products

I will replace my [item] with a reusable [item] in the bathroom (disposable cups, makeup wipes and soap dispensers, etc.).

Uncompleted
One-Time Action

Personal Care

Practice Low-Waste Hair Care

I will replace my soaps, shampoos, and conditioners with a bar, refillable option, or I will make my own.

Completed
One-Time Action

At Home

Watch a Documentary

I will watch a documentary film about plastic waste with family and friends and talk about what we learned.

Completed
One-Time Action

Food

Make Your Own

I will try 1 new recipe(s) or food preparation method(s), such as canning, pickling, making yogurt, or baking granola bars or bread.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

On-the-go

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases, including produce bags.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Have Waste-Free Periods

I will use a menstrual cup and/or cloth pads instead of a disposable option.

Completed
One-Time Action

At Home

Avoid Harmful Plastics

I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polyvinyl, polystyrene and polycarbonate (#3,#6 and #7).

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Feed

Reflection Question
At Home Watch a Documentary

Which documentary did you choose to watch? What did you learn?

Laurel Bieschke 2/08/2021 10:25 AM

I chose the Frontline episode "Plastic Wars. It is disturbing to think how much money the plastic industry has spent in false marketing campaigns that have led people to "wishcycle" rather than reduce their consumption. The percentage of "recyclable" goods that can actually be recycled is shockingly low, and I wish they would remove the chasing arrows symbol from packages that aren't actually recyclable.

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Reflection Question
Personal Care Practice Low-Waste Hair Care

What are the economic and personal benefits of switching to bar soap/shampoo/conditioner, refillable bottle options, or making your own?

Laurel Bieschke 2/02/2021 3:45 PM

I can definitely get more uses from a bar of shampoo than a bottle, and it feels like there is less build-up so I can go longer without washing. I also think they will be easier to travel with (in their tins) rather than having to measure out the right amount of liquid each time.

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Reflection Question
Food Make Your Own

How 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?

Laurel Bieschke 2/01/2021 5:27 PM

As someone who absolutely sucks at traditional forms of "crafting," I find great creativity in food preparation. It helps me feel empowered rather than feeling bad about not being to practice other forms of self-sufficiency (sewing, woodworking, etc). Food prep is also something that is more accessible for us renters and doesn't depend on having an owed space, yard, etc.

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Laurel Bieschke 1/28/2021 4:33 PM

I'm reading a book called "It Starts With The Egg" about how to improve fertility and, sadly, the first couple of chapters are all about BPA and phthalates as hormone disruptors. I knew of this already, but it's a good reminder of how many hidden sources of toxins I interact with on a daily basis :(

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Reflection Question
Food Shop the Bulk Bins

How has buying bulk impacted the quality of the food you receive? Why do you think our society relies more on prepackaged foods rather than buying in bulk?

Laurel Bieschke 1/28/2021 4:31 PM

It comes down to cost. I shop at my local coop and Aldi, often making a trip to both stores every week. There are more items I'd like to be able to purchase in bulk at the coop, but the deals are so good at Aldi that I find myself making excuses. Sometimes I buy bulk almonds at the coop and use my glass jars; other times I buy a plastic pouch of almonds at Aldi for ½ the price. I wish we have more government-based incentives for making better choices for the environment.

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Reflection Question
Personal Care Have Waste-Free Periods

What are the economic and personal benefits of this switch for you?

Laurel Bieschke 1/28/2021 4:27 PM

This economic benefits are huge - natural tampons and pads cost a lot more than mainstream versions, and even those create a ton of waste. This has been an adjustment, for sure, but even if I can keep it up for part of each cycle I will reap tremendous personal and economic benefits.

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Reflection Question
At Home Shop Used

What kinds of items have been easy for you to find used? What has been hard?

Laurel Bieschke 1/27/2021 5:38 PM

I buy the majority of my clothes at thrift stores, but it is really hard to find women's clothes in natural fibers......the majority of what I find is polyester. And, while I would agree that purchasing used is better than creating a new need for polyester, I hate the feel and smell of polyester after going so many years without wearing it.

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Reflection Question
On-the-go Use Reusable Bags

How difficult was this action for you? What made it easy or difficult?

Laurel Bieschke 1/24/2021 12:44 PM

This action has been easy since I always keep reusable bags in my car and have plenty at home. Sometimes I have to be quick in letting cashiers know not to bag items up. Drugs stores are the worst - constantly trying to bag up just 1-2 items one could easily carry out by hand.

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Laurel Bieschke 1/23/2021 3:48 PM

"Give me matter, and I will construct a world out of it!" - Immanuel Kant. I love stumbling across artists who create their work from recycled goods: https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/recycled-art-masterpiece-made-from-junks/.

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Laurel Bieschke 1/23/2021 3:42 PM

I'll admit, it has been difficult to sign in every day for this challenge because I am simultaneously challenging myself to a digital detox! I am hopeful that post-pandemic there will be a chance for Hennepin County to offer challenges like this one with more in-person options to connect and discuss ideas.

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