WEEK 16

this week, your challenge is to... 

• try grocery shopping waste-free. 
• don't be intimidated, it's completely feasible!
• (1) bring a box filled with mason jars/containers to a bulk food store. 
• I went here!
• (2) when you walk in, ask the cashier to weigh your containers before filling them. 
• (3) fill each container up with whatever you need. 
• (4) when you get to the cash register, they will weigh each container and subtract it's original weight. 
• after calculating, we found that it ended up being cheaper than COSTCO!
• (5) then we walked next door to the farmer's market. 
• I went here!
• (6) we bought all of our fruits and veggies without any packaging.
• make sure to bring your own re-usable bags because otherwise they'll use plastic bags. 

WEEK 15

this week, your challenge is to... 

• shop second hand. 
• 3% of global CO2 emissions are associated with clothing (out-sourced production, shipping, washing, drying, etc.) 
• shopping second hand saves good clothing from piling up in a landfill. 
• plus, it lowers the demand for clothing production! 

here are some super cool (and affordable) thrift shops around montreal...

(1) NOVA 

(2) Armée du Salut

(3) Eva B

(4) Village des Valeurs

(5) Cul-de-Sac

(6) Annex Vintage

(7) Lost and Found

(8) Empire Exchange

*9) VarageSale

WEEK 14

this week, your challenge is to... 

• recycle styrofoam.
• although you cannot recycle styrofoam on your own (in my city at least), you can bring it to a municipal garage and they will recycle it for you.
• in the city of kirkland, you can deposit your styrofoam here!
• if you are unsure about your city's regulations, give them a phone call!
• for example, your town should have an information page like this one!

WEEK 13

this week, your challenge is to... 

• visit your local farmer's market.
• (1) handmade and homegrown food means less packaging.
• (2) shopping local is better for the environment. 
• (3) farmer's markets support local families and farmers. 
• (4) you will know where your food comes from. 
• (5) shopping local will save you a few dollars.
• (6) visiting communal events allows you to connect with your community.
• here are some great farmer's markets around Quebec. 
• if you are looking to REDUCE plastic packaging, you can check out this farm. 
• every week, you can select which fruits and veggies you would like.
• then, you can pick up the boxes of food from pick-up spots near you!
• the fresh, organic produce is delivered in returnable cardboard boxes.
• although some of the smaller produce is packaged, it certainly reduces the amount of plastic packaging that you would normally get from grocery stores. 
• you can recycle your plastic bags here once you are done with them. 

WEEK 12

this week, your challenge is to... 

• make your own cleaning products. 
• WHO? --> you!
• WHAT? --> dish soap, glass cleaner, wooden floor cleaner, greasy pot rescue, sink cleaner, sticky residue remover. 
• WHERE? --> at home. 
• WHEN? --> when you run out of your current supply, make these instead of buying new ones. 
• WHY? --> (1) to reduce waste. (2) to avoid harsh chemicals. (3) to save money. 
• HOW? --> Find all the recipes here!

WEEK 11

this week, your challenge is to... 

• start composting.
• (1) to minimize landfills.
• > residential waste is made up of 40% compostable materials!
• (2) to save money.
• > you'll no longer have to buy chemical fertilizers.  
• (3) to save resources. 
• > compost helps with water retention so you'll waste less water. 
• (4) to improve your soil. 
• > compost returns valuable nutrients to the soil. 
• (5) to reduce your environmental impact. 
• > decrease CO2 emissions caused by vehicles who transport waste. 
• > stop chemical fertilizers from running off into our rivers, lakes and streams. 
• > diminish groundwater pollution caused by buried organics (when they react with metals in landfills).

- Check out these basic tips to become more familiar with composting. 

- Look up your city's composting regulations to see if there is a program you can follow.
- Watch this video to learn how to compost on your own! 

WEEK 10

this week, your challenge is to... 

• reduce fast food. 
• (something to think about): in one visit to a fast food restaurant, your food will be wrapped in paper, shoved in a plastic bag/paper sack that is filled with paper napkins, plastic straws, plastic utensils, and condiments wrapped in plastic...
• FAST FOOD IS THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTOR TO WASTE FLOATING IN THE OCEAN. (49%!!!) 
• you don't need to completely eliminate fast food cold turkey...just try to lessen.