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 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 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. 

WEEK 7

this week, your challenge is to... 

• switch to using bamboo toothbrushes. 
• (1) over 4.7 billion plastic toothbrushes are dumped in landfills every year.

Make your household more environmentally conscious by buying a toothbrush like this one!

WEEK 6

this week, your challenge is to... 

• start making your own bread.
• (1) to reduce plastic packaging.
• (2) to know exactly what you're eating (no more weird chemicals).
• (3) to wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread!

RECIPE:

- 3 cups flour (I suggest unbleached). 

- 1/2 tsp. yeast. 

- 1 tsp. salt.

-1 1/2 cups water. 

--> Mix all ingredients in a bowl. 

--> Cover bowl and let sit overnight. 

--> (Next day) Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. 

--> Transfer risen dough into a pot (I use a cast iron dutch oven).

--> Bake for 30 minutes covered.

--> Remove cover and bake for another 10 minutes. 

WEEK 3

this week, your challenge is to... 

• never use a plastic bag again. 
• bring your own re-usable bags to the grocery store. 
• if you struggle to remember your bags...
• (1) keep them in your car/purse/backpack. 
• (2) hang them up in an obvious place.
• (3) use boxes at the store and recycle them afterwards.
• (4) carry your groceries out without a bag.

- learn how to (easily) make a bag out of an old shirt here!
- buy recyclable/re-usable produce bags here!

WEEK 2

this week, your challenge is to... 

• stop using plastic utensils and straws.
• as of now, always pack stainless steel silverware with you and sip straight from the cup. 

Check out The Last Plastic Straw for more information on how/why we need to stop using straws!

WEEK 1

this week, your challenge is to...

• buy a re-usable water bottle. 
• from now on, avoid disposable bottles at all costs. 

check out your city's website to clarify recycling regulations...
Example