March
March 1 <Declined the plastic toothbrush & plastic bag from my dentist>
March 2 <Purchased bamboo toothbrushes>
March 3 <Brushed teeth with BITES, toothpaste tablets>
March 4 <Discovered Carbon Trim app>
March 5 <Calculated carbon footprint of an electric car (EV) vs. gas powered car (ICE)>
March 6 <Determined my electric car’s yearly carbon footprint vs. my old gas guzzler>
March 7 <Washed windows with reusable, washable cloth>
March 8 <Made fizzy water with SodaStream>
March 9 <Rotated tires on Rubee>
March 10 <Found One Save/Day app>
March 11 <Discovered a parmesan cheese container top fits on small mouth ball jars>
March 12 <Froze berries past their prime for smoothies>
March 13 <Bought reusable bamboo cutlery bundles to use when traveling>
March 14 <Used wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets>
March 15 <Pulled weeds by hand instead of using toxic weed killer>
March 16 <Picked up roadside litter>
March 17 <Purchased KIND plant based scour pads>
March 18 <Switched to natural cellulose sponges>
March 19 <Found deodorant in paper packaging>
March 20 <Switched from plastic ziplock bags to reusable silicone bags>
March 21 <Sprouted carrots greens from leftover carrot tops>
March 22 <Gifted extra SCOBYs to fellow kombucha brewers>
March 23 <Homemade dish soap>
March 24 <Made pour top for ball jar>
March 25 <Mixed my own dry shampoo>
March 26 <Saved pasta water for hair rinse>
March 27 <Reused paper padded mailer>
March 28 <Messaged Amazon to reduce plastic shipping materials>
March 29 <Meat free Monday>
March 30 <Made homemade salad dressing>
March 31 <Saved time & money by online banking>
March 1, Day 60
<Declined the plastic toothbrush & plastic bag from my dentist>
Over the years we have amassed a bin full of plastic dental hygiene implements…toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss & plastic picks. In my quest to reduce my plastic waste, I will use up what we have & then do my best to find & use more sustainable choices-bamboo toothbrushes, toothbrush tablets & eco-friendly floss.
March 2, Day 61
<Purchased bamboo toothbrushes>
Bamboo toothbrushes are eco-friendly & entirely biodegradable, unlike plastic toothbrushes which cannot be recycled & take a millennium to break down. Every single toothbrush ever made still exists & is sitting in a landfill somewhere!
Bamboo is also known to possess antibacterial, antifungal, & antimicrobial properties, which makes it a perfect material to design a toothbrush.
Bamboo is an extremely sustainable & renewable resource. Bamboo trees are super fast growing-(certain species able to grow up to four feet per DAY), with no need for fertilizers or pesticides, so the toothbrushes are made with organic materials.
It takes it bit getting used to the feeling of the bamboo on the inside of your cheeks vs. the slippery plastic & initially the brush had a taste, but I am growing to like the switch.
I found these bamboo toothbrushes with charcoal infused bristles on Etsy.
March 3, Day 61
<Brushed teeth with BITES, toothpaste tablets>
Ditch the toothpaste tube!
For years, I have been a fan of Tom’s of Maine toothpaste. In my quest to reduce my plastic waste, I found these toothpaste tablets.
Zero paste, Zero waste!
All natural, sulfate free, cruelty free & plastic free!
More than 1 billion plastic toothpaste tubes are thrown out each year, with harsh chemical residues. By 2050, there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish!
Bites come in glass bottles, which unlike plastic, glass is infinitely recyclable, looks great, & breaks down into sand at the end of its life. They send your refill Bites in 100% home compostable pouches every four months with a subscription. Yep, still no plastic.
They take a bit getting used to... just place 1 bit in your mouth, bite down & brush with wet toothbrush. Several great flavors. Low abrasivity, no harsh chemicals & naturally whitening. Check them out!
March 4, Day 62
<Discovered Carbon Trim app>
Found this ingenious app called CARBON TRIM that helps you understand how your each of your daily choices make a carbon impact- whether it's eating a pizza slice or a buying a pair of shoes or using the microwave!
Search via text or image for carbon costs of hundreds of different items.
Set reminders as nudges to take eco-friendly actions through the week.
Food, appliances , travel & lifestyle are categories you can explore, with examples given of the relative carbon cost of any action you take in terms of; the amount of carbon emissions, a car drive, equivalent plastic bags used, amount of petrol used etc, which makes understanding the environmental impact easy.
Tips are given on carbon reducing actions you can take.
My favorite is the THIS VS. THAT feature where you can guess which item has a lower carbon impact, with a good explanation of how.
March 5, Day 63
<Calculated carbon footprint of an electric car (EV) vs. gas powered car (ICE)>
Electric cars tend to produce less carbon pollution than gas-powered ones—but just how much less? I was curious how much more CO2e my 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe gas guzzler emitted vs. my 2017 all electric Chevy Bolt, Rubee. There are several calculators you can utilize to determine the carbon footprint of your car.
THIS ONE tells you how clean your electric vehicle is & compares it to gasoline only cars, plug in hybrid electric & battery electric cars. Enter your ZIP code below to see how different types of vehicles stack up in your area. Entering a make, model, & year will narrow results to a specific EV model.
+Because I charge my car 99% of the time from home where we have Common Energy Solar which offsets our electric power with solar power, my car is super clean & actually has even less impact than what the calculator estimates!
March 6, Day 64
<Determined my electric car’s yearly carbon footprint vs. my old gas guzzler>
Another calculator can compare two cars; my old 4 wheel drive 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe to my 2017 all electric Chevy Bolt.
I love this one because it spells out the yearly impact of each in lbs of CO2e & also the equivalent to planting what number of trees.
The Chevy Bolt wins by a lot.
+Because I charge my car 99% of the time from home where we have Common Energy Solar which offsets our electric power with solar power, my car is super clean & actually has even less impact than what the calculator estimates!
March 7, Day 65
<Washed windows with reusable & washable microfiber cloth>
Found these Quickie Cloths at my local home improvement store a few years ago. I LOVE them. I am no longer relying on paper towels for my window cleaning.
The glass/window cloth is:
Made of high quality microfiber, this Mycro-touch cloth removes up to 99% of Bacteria, allergens, & dust from all surfaces. Specially designed for use on windows & glass surfaces to leave a streak free shine. Use wet or dry with water or your preferred cleaning supplies.
REUSABLE - Machine washable.
GO GREEN - Reduce waste & cost. Clean a little bit greener with this microfiber cleaning cloth that reduces the amount of paper towels, chemicals & water needed.
MICROFIBER BENEFITS - Highly absorbent & quick drying, microfiber is lint-free & non-scratch cloth is safe for use on all surfaces. Microfiber has natural cleaning powers & the dense, circular weave of this cloth enhances its ability to wipe smooth surfaces clean & leave them with a streak-free finish.
This high quality microfiber cloth is designed for cleaning glass, windows, LCD/Plasma television screens & other smooth surfaces.
March 8, Day 66
<Made fizzy water with SodaStream>
I am a fan of fizzy water. Buying the bottles always made me feel wasteful & it was costly.
One day at my friend’s home, I was introduced to the wonderful fizzy water maker- the SodaStream. Since then, I have avoided so much plastic waste & saved money by investing in the SodaStream myself. SodaStream’s carbonating cylinders make up to 60 liters of fresh sparkling water with the just the right amount of carbonation every time.
Plus, I have saved the cost of driving to the store to purchase more single-use plastic bottles of the bubbly drink.
The SodaStream Fizzi Sparkling Water Machine is going for $90 and gets you the machine itself, a reusable (& BPA-free) bottle, & a refillable 60-liter CO2 cylinder. After attaching the bottle, you pump up to three times (depending on how fizzy you want your fizzy water), detach the bottle, & enjoy. You can be as creative as you like with what you’re making. I hear you can also fizz other liquids like coconut water or vodka! I like my fizzy water with a splash of juice.
By 2025, SodaStream users will eliminate 67 billion single-use plastic bottles from our planet. YIKES, that’s a lot!
Just a single SodaStream reusable bottle can help the average family reduce more than 3,070 single use bottles & cans from our planet. This is critical in eliminating the environmentally damaging manufacturing & supply chain linked to single-use plastic bottles.
It also helps reduce the presence of tiny microplastics & toxins that are caused by slowly degrading single-use plastics in our landfills.
March 9, Day 67
<Rotated tires on Rubee>
One of the many wonderful things about Rubee, my all electric car, is there is very little maintenance. Compared to my Hyundai Santa Fe, which was in the shop every other month with various maintenance & repair needs, Rubee has been a dream (So far, knock on wood) After 6000 miles of driving her, the only maintenance I have done is to rotate her tires.
We all know rotating tires & keeping them properly inflated is a good thing. Rotating tires keeps them from wearing unevenly. That will make your ride smoother & handling safer. And it extends the life of your tires, saving you time & money in the long run. Keeping your tires properly inflated helps as well & will give you better mileage.
March 10, Day 68
<Found One Save/Day app>
Users of OneSave/Day like me want to combat Climate Change, but don’t know how they can help on a larger scale.
The app displays one action / day that the whole community is doing to give each effort more value.
ONE SAVE
Every day you will get a new little task, called "Save", that you can easily implement into your daily busy life.
LITTLE ACTION - CRUCIAL RESULTS
Yes, it's true: If you pick up one piece of plastic the world is not going to change. But imagine thousands of people doing the same "Save" on the same day, thousands of pieces of plastic being picked up. That's a whole beach.
SHARE YOUR SAVES
Post pictures from your Saves under #OneSaveADay
More People = More Saves = Better Planet
Don't forget: Even only sharing the application with a friend or family member has a positive impact on the climate !
March 11, Day 69
<Discovered a parmesan cheese container top fits on small mouth ball jars>
This just fun. I love taking a ball jar filled with my homemade juice with me in the car, buy worry about spills. The top of a shaky cheese container screws onto a small mouth ball jar!
+Be careful, liquid will spill out if you turn your jar upside down. But used with a straw, (reusable please) it keeps liquids from splashing all over my car as I go over bumps.
You can also fill the jar with herb/spice blends.
March 12, Day 70
<Froze berries past their prime for smoothies>
When berries start to go soft or mushy, they can be frozen for later to blend in nutritious smoothies. I like mine with oat milk, a frozen banana & pea protein.
March 13, Day 71
<Bought reusable bamboo cutlery bundles to use when traveling>
Skip the plastic pack of disposable cutlery when eating on the road & bring your reusable ones. Target had these on sale & I could not resist buying a bunch of them. You could also make your own travel bundle by wrapping a reusable fork, knife & spoon in a cloth napkin tied with a ribbon. Keep a few sets in your glove box for road trips. Wash & reuse-they will last a lifetime!
March 14, Day 72
<Used wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets>
Reduce your drying time, which saves you $$$ on your electric or gas bill.
Reduce ironing time.
Naturally softens fabric.
Reduce static electricity
Avoid reactions to artificial scents or chemicals.
Put a few drops of essential oils in scent of your choice on the wool balls for a light, natural fragrance.
Save money on dryer sheets- these can be used for many years & only cost $5.00 at Trader Joes.
March 15, Day 73
<Pulled weeds by hand instead of using toxic weed killer>
Try to avoid the toxic weed killers & pull out the weeds by hand. We have stones along our driveway where tree seedlings love to germinate. They are tricky to weed out, because they break easily when you pull on them, leaving the roots in the ground. My husband has devised the “grabbinator”, a wonderful tool that enables you to clamp a vise grip on the weed next to the ground & then pull a handle connected by parachute rope. He has pulled some crazy big root systems out! Patent pending!
March 16, Day 74
<Picked up roadside litter>
This time of year when the snow melts, it reveals tons of roadside litter. I am a newbie to litter pick up, but Stephanie has shown me the ropes.
Wear boots! It’s wet & muddy in the gully by the road where the garbage tends to drift.
Wear gloves! Super gross cigarette butts & used disposable masks are not something I want to handle.
Reflective gear helps drivers see you.
Bring lots of bags, preferably reuse old cat litter or pet food bags. Try to reuse bags.
It’s a workout! Bending under shrub branches is like yoga, scrambling up & down the hills is good cardio & carrying the found litter is weight lifting.
Bring a friend. So much nicer to pass the time conversing.
Leave full bags on side of road & come back with your car to pick them up later.
You’ll find some weird things!
When you get home, sort out the garbage from the recyclables. Give the recyclables a rinse if they are dirty.
DON’T LITTER!!!
March 17, Day 75
<Purchased KIND plant based scour pads>
Conventional scouring pads are great for scrubbing off tough messes, but they’re usually made from plastic, which breaks down as you use it & slips down the drain.
Fortunately, there are some plant-based scourers that do the job just as well without contributing to microplastic pollution.
See HERE for the best sponges & scour pads.
March 18, Day 76
<Switched to natural cellulose sponges>
Sponges are often, but not always, made from one of Mother Nature’s least favorite substances: oil-based, landfill-clogging plastic. Let’s say you toss one possibly germy plastic polyfoam sponge in the trash a week. It’s no doubt a safe hygienic move, but this means that a year’s worth of sponges will be taking up landfill space for upwards of 52,000 years. Your house may be spotless, but the mess you’re making in landfills will never go away in your lifetime.
Antibacterial sponges. Avoid them. Most have been treated with the antibacterial/antifungal agent triclosan, an environmentally harmful pesticide that’s been wreaking havoc on aquatic ecosystems for some time now.
This leaves us with cellulose sponges. Pure cellulose sponges are, unfortunately, not as prevalent as plastic ones — & probably a bit more pricey — but you should be able to find them with no real problem-just make sure they’re 100 percent cellulose with no polyester filling. Cellulose sponges are made from wood fibers & although man-made, they’re far more “green” than plastic ones since they biodegrade in landfills & go through a far less toxic manufacturing process. Another great find at Trader Joe’s!
See this article for more info.
March 19, Day 77
<Found deodorant in recyclable paper packaging>
I have looking for a plastic free solution to my deodorant & had seen some pricey ones online with paper packaging. Was so happy to come across several affordable options at Target. They range in price from $5-$12. I like the Hey Humans brand the best- the coconut mint smells divine & not too strong. Aluminum free with essential oils.
March 20, Day 78
<Switched from plastic ziplock bags to reusable silicone bags>
It clear why we need to use less single waste plastics. A new study finds the average person could be swallowing about five grams of plastic every week. That's equal to a credit card's worth. These particles can make their way into our drinking water, food & even the air we breathe & it adds up over time. I found these on clearance at Target.
March 21, Day 79
<Sprouted carrots greens from leftover carrot tops>
You may be surprised to learn that there are many common vegetables that you grow can re-grow from scraps. This can be a great money saver, both when it comes to starting a new vegetable plot & when it comes to your existing food growing efforts.
Making full use of a plant’s ability to grow new roots & regenerate is a great way to use natural processes to your advantage. It can also help you reduce the amount of food waste that you generate in your home.
Which Vegetables Can You Re-Grow From Scraps?
Here are some of the common vegetables (and herbs) that you can re-grow from scraps:
Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
Onions, Garlic, Leeks & Shallots
Celery
Bulb Fennel
Carrots, Turnips, Parsnips, Beets & Other Root Crops
Lettuce, Bok Choi & Other Leafy Greens
Cabbages
Basil, Mint, Cilantro & Other Herbs
Retaining the tops (where the leaves and stems join onto the root) from carrots, turnips, & other root crops will allow you to regrow them.
Place the tops in a container of water & new, green tops should begin to grow in a matter of days.
You can simply harvest & use these greens as they grow, or you can allow the roots to continue growing until the plants are ready to be transplanted back into the ground.
March 22, Day 80
<Gifted extra SCOBYs to fellow kombucha brewers>
They look strange, but are amazing!
A new SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria & Yeast) grows with each new batch of kombucha you brew. After a while, I have more SCOBYs than the jars can handle, so I share with people who want to learn how to brew their own.
CLICK HERE for how to brew your own.
Some of the benefits of drinking kombucha are reported to be:
Antioxidants
Immune support
Improves digestive system
Boosts energy
Lowers cholesterol
Joint care
Helps weight loss
Detoxification
March 23, Day 81
<Homemade dish soap>
Trying to reduce plastic waste by making my own cleaning products is fun, easy & less expensive/
Mix 2 cups of Dr. Bronner‘s Castile soap (I’ve used it full strength, but can try it diluted) with 12 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oil.
Squirt on a scrub brush & scrub dishes.
Easy Peasy!
March 24, Day 82
<Made pour top for ball jar>
My husband discovered this idea.
Cut off the top of a juice or milk carton with a twist top & flatten out. Trace the top of a ball jar on back side, cut out in a circle & replace for the top.
I like it for salad dressings!
March 25, Day 83
<Mixed my own dry shampoo>
Mix in equal amounts CORNSTARCH & the ingredient below for your hair color:
For Black hair: Charcoal
For Brown Hair: Cocoa powder
For Red hair: Cinnamon
For Blonde hair: Arrowroot
***Patch test on your scalp 1st. If no reaction, go ahead & use mixture.
With on old make-up brush or your fingers, apply the powder to your roots or oily parts of your hair. Comb the powder through & style as normal.
I mixed 1/4 cup each of cocoa & cornstarch for my brown hair in a small jar with a lid & shook it up to combine. (It also smells really good!) Works so great!
CLICK HERE for info on Why Should You Use Dry Shampoo?
March 26, Day 83
<Saved pasta water for hair rinse>
WAIT! Don’t let your pasta water go down the drain! It is rich in vitamins & minerals!
Here are a few clever ideas how to use it.
*For the hair-Damaged hair will always welcome special treatment. Using the pasta water will make it beautifully smooth. Simply massage it into the hair, leave it for 10 minutes & then rinse it out. Now use your normal shampoo & you'll be astounded by the results. <I tried this! Made my hair very soft & full bodied.>
*For watering the flowers. Unsalted water only. Your plants will appreciate it-pasta water is perfect for watering due to its mineral content. Best poured when only lukewarm.
*For sauce & pesto-As a special ingredient for the tomato sauce, add the pasta water right at the last minute. Your tasty pesto will also benefit from it. The warm liquid is a perfect combining agent.
*For bread & pizza dough-All yeast doughs require some liquid with a pinch of salt. With your pasta water, you're already one step ahead. Simply use however much of it you need for the dough recipe.
*To soften legumes-Beans, peas, linseed — they're all good for the immune system. But to make them taste better, you should allow them to soften before the preparation. Use the pasta water & let the legumes simply soak overnight. Perfect!
*For washing up-The extract from pasta starch acts as a natural detergent. Warm pasta water is therefore, perfect for washing up. Even the really dirty pots & pans can be cleaned with it!
*For a foot spa-For those that suffer from sore or swollen feet after a hard day at work, you should definitely try out a foot spa using your warm pasta water. Both the warm water & the minerals it contains, will leave your feet feeling soft & refreshed in no time.
*For steaming vegetables-Steaming is a great method for preparing vegetables. Simply take the pasta water as a base, place a steamer basket in the pot & begin. Cooking doesn't get much healthier.
*As a soup base-Whether for a hearty broth or a soup, the pasta water is a great place to start.
March 27, Day 84
<Reused paper padded mailer>
Received a shipment from Amazon in a lovely padded paper envelope. A QR code links me to some good info on how Amazon is improving their packaging by using more sustainable fully recyclable paper padded mailers.
Super cool stuff.
I saved the mailer & used it to send a gift to a friend.
March 28, Day 85
<Messaged Amazon to reduce plastic shipping materials>
Not all packaging from Amazon is recyclable yet!
Beyond Plastics recommends you message Amazon when you receive a shipment in packing you can’t recycle. Urge Amazon to take responsibility for the mountains of plastic pollution it generates every year.
Hearing from consumers is the key to convincing Amazon to commit to plastic-free packaging & here is an easy follow-up action you can take the next time you receive an Amazon package. Here's what you do:
1. Snap a picture of the plastic packaging (could be the bubble wrap mailer or the air pillows inside a box).
2. Post it on your Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and other social media accounts.
3. Please make sure to tag Amazon (and Beyond Plastics so they can share it!) and ask for a plastic-free packaging choice with the hashtag #PlasticFreeAmazon. You can use the sample text below or write your own.
Twitter
.@amazon there's no way to recycle this packaging where I live. Please switch to #plasticfree, 100% recycled paper mailers. Or better yet, reusable totes as part of a #zerowaste delivery system. Our oceans and planet can't wait! #OceanPlastic #PlasticFreeAmazon @PlasticsBeyond
Facebook
@amazon I'm sorry to report that there's no way to recycle this packaging where I live. Please switch to #plasticfree, 100% recycled paper mailers. Or better yet, switch to 100% reusable packaging as part of a #plasticfree #zerowaste delivery system like you've created in @AmazonIN. We're only four years away from having one pound of plastic for every three pounds of fish in our oceans and our planet can't wait! @beyondplasticsaction
Instagram
@amazon there's no way to recycle this packaging where I live. Please switch to #plasticfree, 100% recycled paper mailers. Or better yet, commit to 100% reusable packaging as part of a new #plasticfree #zerowaste delivery system like what you've accomplished in @amazondotin. We're only four years away from having one pound of plastic for every three pounds of fish in our oceans. Our oceans and planet can't wait any longer! @beyondplasticsbennington
#OceanPlastic #PlasticFreeAmazon #PlanetOrPlastic #WildlifeOverWaste #RefuseSingleUse #ReuseRevolution #EmbraceReuse #NoExcuseForSingleUse
More than 15 billion pounds of plastic enter our oceans every year — & the crisis will only get worse if companies like Amazon don’t act.
March 29, Day 86
<Meat free Monday>
This is the single most impactful lifestyle change you can make to help the planet. Industrialized agriculture is responsible for 15% of global carbon emissions, & contributes to water pollution & land use. Commit to reducing your meat consumption by a few meals per week. Start with meat-free Mondays, & gradually move to eat meat only once or twice a week.
March 30, Day 87
<Made homemade salad dressing>
Most store-bought salad dressings contain vegetable oils (including soybean, canola, & more). Contrary to what the name suggests, these types of oils are far from healthy. They’re high in omega-6 fatty acids & lead to inflammation. Plus, most are genetically modified. In my attempt to eat an anti-inflammatory diet, I try to eat healthy fats- like extra virgin olive oil.
Try mixing your own salad dressing instead of buying it from the store. So many recipes out there!
How to Make Your Own Healthy Salad Dressing From Body Unburdened:
1. Start with an oil
Two healthy oils for homemade salad dressings are olive oil & avocado oil. Unlike vegetable oils, these are both high in omega 3-fatty acids, which we want to increase!
2. Add in the vinegar
You have several options here. My personal favorite is Apple Cider Vinegar, but you can also use champagne vinegar, white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar, depending on taste preference & the type of salad.
*The ratio is typically 1 part vinegar to 3 parts oil, but experiment with this to find what you like best – have fun with this!
3. Add in fresh citrus
Fresh citrus juice is essential to any tasty homemade salad dressing. This gives it a bit of sweetness & reduces the bitterness from the vinegar. Squeeze in some orange or grapefruit juice. Fresh lemon juice can also be used in addition to other citrus juices.
4. Throw in seasoning
This is where you can get really creative! Depending on whether you have a sweet or savory salad, you can add a variety of seasonings.
My favorite seasonings for fruity/sweet salads are: honey, liquid stevia/fresh stevia leaves, & fresh mint leaves.
My favorite seasonings for savory salads are: minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, turmeric, basil, cilantro, ginger, mustard, parsley, & more!
Simply whisk all of your ingredients together or shake in a blender bottle and you’re set! Be sure to store in an air-tight container & use within 5-7 days.
March 31, Day 88
<Saved time & money by online banking>
Paperless billing and banking also gives you an opportunity to reduce your household’s impact on deforestation, water & fossil fuel consumption, & greenhouse gas emissions with minimal effort.
In addition to being convenient, by switching to paperless, you’re preventing paper statements & bills from being created, reducing resource use & your carbon footprint.
And it gives you more time to get outside!