Hennepin County

Hennepin County Plastic-Free Challenge

February 1 - February 28, 2023

Karissa Vetsch

"I would like to lower my environmental impact"

Points Total

0 Today
0 This Week
317 Total

Participant Impact

up to

3.0

zero-waste meals

consumed
up to

1.1

pounds of CO2

have been saved
up to

0.3

pounds

packaging waste avoided
up to

33

pieces of litter

picked up
up to

5.0

minutes

spent learning

Karissa'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.

Completed
One-Time Action

At Home

Plan a Garden

I will plan an herb or vegetable garden for next year at my home, workplace, or community garden.

Uncompleted
One-Time Action

At Home

Avoid Harmful Plastics

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Contact My Legislator about EPR

I will learn about extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies for packaging and share my position with the legislators who represent me.

Uncompleted
One-Time Action

Community

Estimate Your Plastic Footprint

I will complete a plastic consumption calculator to learn about my plastic footprint.

Completed
One-Time Action

Food

Swap the Snacks

I will swap 1 prepackaged snacks for unpackaged fruits or veggies or homemade or bulk items each time we need more.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Plastic-Free Caffeine Routine

I will cut single-use plastics out of my morning drink by switching to reusable coffee pods, tea infusers, and bulk beans or tea leaves.

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 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Feed

Reflection Question
Food Swap the Snacks

How does swapping out prepackaged snacks for fresh fruit or veggies or homemade or bulk items benefit your household?

Karissa Vetsch 2/13/2023 7:13 AM

It cuts down on packaging and helps me get my daily serving of fruit and veggies. The bulk items also let us purchase the quantity we want versus the prepackaged amounts.

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Reflection Question
Community Pick Up Plastic Litter

How does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?

Karissa Vetsch 2/03/2023 11:21 AM

The act of picking up litter connects me more to my community because I often see folks out and about. Get to wave, or say hello. It also is a step that takes care of our earth and that supports everyone in the community, I think little acts like picking up litter are contagious and hope it inspires others to pick up the litter they see while out and about.

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Reflection Question
Community Estimate Your Plastic Footprint

What did you find out about your plastic consumption by using the calculator? What did or didn't surprise you?

Karissa Vetsch 2/03/2023 11:20 AM

My biggest waste currently is food wrappers. I struggle between the convenience of prewrapped food versus bulk food. I purchase all fruits and veggies without plastic but I eat a lot of granola bars, fruit snacks, etc. I love how quick it is to grab a snack and go. I am much less likely to eat the food if it takes a lot of prep/ steps.

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