Linda Gau

Hennepin County Environment and Energy

Points Total

0 Today
0 This Week
200 Total

Participant Impact

up to

0.7

pounds of CO2

have been saved
up to

4.0

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
up to

1.0

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
up to

0.1

pounds

waste recycled

Linda's Actions

Food

Ditch the Baggie

I will ditch the zippered plastic bags for food storage and switch to reusable containers.

Uncompleted
One-Time Action

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.).

Completed
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

On-the-go

Use A Reusable Mug or Collapsible Cup

I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own collapsible cup.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Recycle Plastic Caps

I will recycle 1 plastic caps per day by placing them back on the plastic bottles before placing them in my recycling bin.

Completed
One-Time Action

Feed

Linda Gau 2/24/2023 7:11 AM

What should one do (what’s the best approach) to reducing existing plastics in the home? Recently I read an article on Tupperware-like food containers that said they could be replaced with glass or steel containers, and the plastic containers could be used for non-food storage. However, what to do about single use plastics like plastic utensils? Use them once and toss them? Or bundle them securely and toss them out? I’ve kept used utensils and have too many unused utensils from parties.
Thanks!

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Linda Gau 2/22/2023 7:54 PM

It’s going reasonably well. Some problems are beyond my ability to fix, but multiple, small life-style challenges eventually add up!

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Linda Gau 2/22/2023 7:51 PM

I pulled out multiple little plastic containers of shampoo, lotion, etc I got from hotels. I’m using them up and intend to leave this type of bottle at the hotel unused in the future. And I am also using a shampoo/conditioner I got from Target that’s similar to bar soap.

I got a non-plastic silicone container from Amazon to test the uses for that kind of reusable bag.

I found a zero waste blog on Facebook and enjoy the suggestions.

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Linda Gau 2/13/2023 5:51 PM

There are times when my best efforts are thwarted. We went to a restaurant with “real” ceramic plates but their takeaway boxes were styrofoam. Got to get better at packing leftover containers in my car!

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Linda Gau 2/08/2023 8:24 AM

I read a funny article about a man who attempted to totally avoid plastics and how unsuccessful that was overall. The author suggested it’s important to avoid plastic and to also avoid single use items.

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Reflection Question
At Home Recycle Plastic Caps

What are some things you can do to avoid using plastic bottles and plastic caps in the first place?

Linda Gau 2/08/2023 7:53 AM

Avoid plastic water bottles, even when they’re “free” at picnics and other events. Bring my own reusable water bottle everywhere.
Spend more money for milk in glass bottles, if available.
Use a food co-op or other retail store to purchase oil dispensed into glass also.

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