Hennepin County Plastic-Free Challenge

Hennepin County

February 1 - February 28, 2023

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Jess Hall 2/28/2023 8:56 AM

Happy end of plastic-free challenge! Hope you all found some successes that you can take past this challenge!

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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?

Alissa Schmidt 2/27/2023 7:12 AM

This action is pretty easy for me because I always keep reusable grocery bags in my car. I also shop at Aldi where you either have to bring your own bags or purchase them, so it's an easy decision.

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Jess Hall 2/23/2023 11:25 AM

Almost the end of the plastic free challenge and I have really enjoyed learning from this and continually checking my own habits! Can't wait to make it a plastic free year and keep up with these reminders!

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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?

Emily Dresbach 2/22/2023 7:38 AM

I've found that I actually prefer the way my hair looks and feels after using shampoo/conditioner bars instead of the bottled kind, though it did take a little bit of experimentation with brands.

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Emily Dresbach 2/21/2023 7:01 AM

This was not a great weekend for me in terms of plastic reduction - I had a friend in town and we ate out most of the time. One thing I tried to focus on was eating at the restaurants instead of getting take out.

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Reflection Question
Community Ditch Disposable Decorations

How did you decorate for your party? How will you use these decorations again?

Jess Hall 2/15/2023 6:42 AM

I made food instead of getting lots of takeout and used reusable and compostable plates and silverware

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Reflection Question
On-the-go Use Reusable Utensils

How can you be an advocate for using resusables instead of disposables for the rest of your community? Where are they currently dependent on disposable cutlery, and how can you convince them of the need for change?

Emily Dresbach 2/14/2023 12:13 PM

I've been in the habit of bringing my own silverware for my lunch, and it started because I didn't know where I could even find disposable silverware in the office. One day I forgot to bring a fork, but since I didn't know where any silverware was in the office, I got creative and used my tupperware lid as a utensil.

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Reflection Question
On-the-go Use Reusable Water Bottles

Can you think of any scenarios where using your own bottle is harder? How can you make sure not to get a disposable bottle in that case?

Emily Dresbach 2/14/2023 12:11 PM

If I forget my water bottle one day, I honestly feel like I'm lost. Throughout time I've gotten used to the tap water from my house and I've figured out what I do and don't like in a water bottle. In the case that I do forget my water bottle one day, I've stashed an extra empty bottle in my desk so I don't have to go buy and plastic one. Now the hard part is resisting free water bottle giveaways...

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Emily Dresbach 2/14/2023 12:09 PM

Something I've noticed lately is how much more waste I produce when I go out to eat. If I have leftovers, chances are the to-go container is either styrofoam or plastic, and while I try to save plastic to-go containers, there's only so many I can have and reuse. A lot of times it's just easier for me to pick something up for dinner on the way home, but I really have to think about if it's worth it for all the waste that produces, and I've been doing better about eating in instead of getting take out.

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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?

Emily Dresbach 2/14/2023 12:06 PM

My plastic footprint was lower than average, but I feel like I throw away so much! I think it's particularly hard for face cleaning/makeup products because there's so many on the market all in such small containers.

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