Skip to main content
Paul Hirsch's avatar

Paul Hirsch

Thermo King

Points Total

  • 0 Today
  • 0 This Week
  • 870 Total

Participant Impact

  • up to
    27
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • up to
    0.4
    pounds
    packaging waste avoided
  • up to
    72
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • up to
    1.3
    pounds
    waste avoided
  • up to
    3.5
    pounds
    waste recycled
  • up to
    1.0
    documentaries
    watched
  • up to
    90
    minutes
    spent learning

Paul's Actions

Food

Buy Material Other Than Plastic

When options exist, I will opt for products packaged in metal, glass or paper vs plastic. Examples: Soda / drinks, spaghetti sauce, orange juice

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Buy Unpackaged Produce

I will avoid 1 plastic bags each shopping trip by not bagging my produce or using reusable produce bags.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

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

At Home

Extend the Life of Electronics

Manufacturers want you to replace your phones every year. I will keep my phone for at least 3 years and make any necessary repairs or updates to keep it functioning as long as possible.

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 7
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Skip the Dryer Sheets

I will replace dryer sheets with a reusable alternative or use nothing at all.

Completed
One-Time Action

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.

Completed
One-Time Action

Community

Pick Up Plastic Litter

I will pick up 3 piece(s) of plastic litter each day and dispose of it responsibly.

COMPLETED 24
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Recycle Plastic Bags

Instead of trashing them, I will recycle 1 plastic bags per day by bringing them to a drop-off.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Recycle Plastic Caps

I will recycle 2 plastic caps per day by placing them back on the plastic bottles before placing them in my recycling bin.

Completed
One-Time Action

Feed


  • Paul Hirsch's avatar
    Paul Hirsch 2/26/2023 4:36 PM
    Talked to 2 pharmacies to see if they would simply refill my empty pill bottle for my cholesterol medicine rather than giving me a new bottle each time. Sadly both said no, regulations won't allow them to do that. CVS said, they checked with provider and their bottles are recyclable. I shared yes, #5 are recyclable but bottles may be too small to be recovered and there are limited markets for the #5 material.

  • Paul Hirsch's avatar
    Paul Hirsch 2/22/2023 8:51 AM
    Realized how worn my plastic snow shovels were getting. Where does all that plastic that wears away go? Only casually wondered before, where does all that micro plastic that wears away go? Thought about it more now and since the snow was light, I switched to a metal shovel.

  • Paul Hirsch's avatar
    Paul Hirsch 2/16/2023 6:47 PM
    My dentist gives patients plastic safety glasses to wear during various procedures, today, I brought my own safety glasses.
  • 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?

    Paul Hirsch's avatar
    Paul Hirsch 2/16/2023 6:45 PM
    I can buy drinks / food products in glass, metal and aluminum. I can also bring water in reusable containers.
  • Reflection Question
    At Home Extend the Life of Electronics
    What maintenance steps do you take to keep your electronics in good working order?

    Paul Hirsch's avatar
    Paul Hirsch 2/15/2023 10:29 AM
    Don't know how much longer I can keep the phone in working order. Just went through a series of clean up steps but not sure if it will help much.
  • Reflection Question
    At Home Watch a Documentary
    Which documentary did you choose to watch? What did you learn?

    Paul Hirsch's avatar
    Paul Hirsch 2/15/2023 10:27 AM
    Watched the PBS documentary The Plastic Problem. Very impressed with the research some are doing and how some individuals are really embracing trying to offer plastic free options or go plastic free. Was not impressed with Unilever, might have to look at which of their brands I buy and look for alternative. Really got the feeling he was trying to push off the problem to others.
  • Reflection Question
    Community Pick Up Plastic Litter
    How does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?

    Paul Hirsch's avatar
    Paul Hirsch 2/09/2023 4:55 PM
    It helps to give me pride in my community. Also encouraging when people thank me or give me a thumbs up.
  • Reflection Question
    Food Buy Unpackaged Produce
    Why do you think these products have so much plastic packaging? Who is the plastic packaging really serving -- the consumer, the producer, or someone else?

    Paul Hirsch's avatar
    Paul Hirsch 2/08/2023 10:47 AM
    Plastic industry is serving a little of all. I remember when fruit like grapes, cherries and strawberries came in cardboard flats, there was a lot of wasted fruit due to shipping damage. Shopping took more time as I had to dig through and fill my own container vs grabbing a prepackaged bag. Still I wish my local store had more unpackaged obtions.

  • Paul Hirsch's avatar
    Paul Hirsch 2/07/2023 6:22 PM
    Brought our own spoons to DQ today. Got a funny look from staff but they cooperated and didn't pass us any plastic spoons.
  • Reflection Question
    At Home Avoid Harmful Plastics
    Do some research on polystyrene and polyvinyl. How many items in your house already contain these toxins?

    Paul Hirsch's avatar
    Paul Hirsch 2/06/2023 6:55 PM
    Grocery shopping this weekend decided to forgo the packaged chicken and hamburger that comes on polystyrene. We were able to do it on the hamburger but there wasn't a fresh option for chicken breasts. Will have to try another grocery.