Ecochallenge.org

The People's Ecochallenge

October 6 - October 27, 2021

Kristen Dutra

Port of Portland

"Trying to learn more about being green, one reusable bag and mug at a time."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
659 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

21

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

55

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

36

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

6.0

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Kristen's actions

Energy

Calculate the Carbon Footprint of my Household

Do at Home

I will calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how different lifestyle choices could reduce our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Try a New Way to Prep

Do at Home

I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

Do at Home

I will spend at least 40 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Turn It Off

Do at Home

I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Family Game Hour

Do at Home

I will spend quality time with family and friends by playing low-tech game(s) and/or through the spirit of imagination.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Work-Life Balance

Do at Home

I will not work more than 8 hour days each day to practice work-life balance.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

If at all possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

Do at Home

I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

Do at Home

I will keep 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Family Game Hour

How does being playful with others enrich your life?

Kristen Dutra 10/26/2021 11:59 AM

It brings a joy to your day, and improves your mood because you feel better. Play is one of my personal priorities in relationships - it has such value. Play also helps you learn interacting with others - I know I've had to re-learn interactions in a mid-pandemic world.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

Reducing (or eliminating) exhaust emissions and improving public health are two benefits of green vehicles. What other motivators inspire you to consider switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle?

Kristen Dutra 10/26/2021 11:56 AM

After speaking with friends who have electric vehicles, there's the cost of maintenance that I had not considered - electric vehicles really have none, except tires! Hybrid vehicles, especially plug-in hybrids, would be fantastic for primarily town driving and then those longer trips. I would like to see the range on electric vehicles increase, but I'm excited to see charging stations become a higher priority when infrastructure is being improved. Every vehicle manufacturer really has no excuse to not provide at a minimum a hybrid version of their vehicles in every country and every market. There's no reason why every vehicle should not automatically be hybrid. I bought a car last year and that was one thing I found when researching vehicles: a hybrid version does exist, but the car maker does not market it and therefore does not sell it in every country. How dare they!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use Reusable Bags

What do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items but don't have a reusable one with you or aren't allowed to use the one you brought? Carry things out in your hands? In a cart? Accept a disposable one? If you find yourself in this position often, what system could you put in place to try to create a successful habit of not using plastic bags?

Kristen Dutra 10/25/2021 4:15 PM

I actually had this happen not too long ago, where I didn't have enough bags with me in the store but had tons in my car. I used the cart because I had too much to carry - although I've done that as well. I have a very lightweight, foldable bag that I usually keep in my purse, since I almost always have my purse with me, so on trips where I realize I need a bag I always have one available. I haven't been going out as often, though, so I'm not using any bags that frequently anymore. I realized that I chose this as a challenge last year and it was more applicable - this year it hasn't been as relevant.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Try a New Way to Prep

Canning and pickling food is a great way to have delicious summer fruits and vegetables all year round. Just make sure to follow the canning and pickling guidelines from the USDA or another trusted source. What are some foods that you would like to preserve and enjoy later in the year?

Kristen Dutra 10/25/2021 7:36 AM

Canning and pickling are not yet areas I have done myself, but I have enjoyed the fruits of others' efforts. I don't have enough produce in my yard to lead to canning yet, but I have baked my own bread instead of buying it, as well as other baking efforts. I would like to do some canning/pickling next year - we have a pear tree that I think would work well with canning. I have also learned that choosing frozen fruits are more sustainable instead of buying fresh - though fresh tastes delicious, there is such a greater carbon footprint to have the fresh stuff brought to us off-season.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Work-Life Balance

How might practicing work-life balance lead to a more sustainable life for yourself? How might it contribute to sustainability more broadly?

Kristen Dutra 10/25/2021 7:33 AM

I'm not sure on how sustainability is involved in work-life balance. I know that I find that balance important so I don't burn out. I put a big priority on this balance after working for a previous job where that did not exist.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Calculate the Carbon Footprint of my Household

After you determined your carbon footprint, did you see what different choices you can make in order to reduce it?

Kristen Dutra 10/21/2021 12:50 PM

Most definitely can see the changes that could be made. They are there all along, but it's the choice to follow through on the decision that is the big factor. When it comes to travel, I know some airlines allow you to purchase funds to offset your carbon emissions, and it's something I will look for when making flight reservations. I have a few more time constraints than Greta Thunberg, so taking a sail boat isn't always an option. If it was, I might consider it (better have some really strong seasickness meds to get across the ocean!). I think it's pretty spectacular that she made such a conscious effort to travel using that method! The youth will show us where and how we need to make our changes.

Read More
Kristen Dutra 10/21/2021 12:36 PM

Today I came into the office only to realize I forgot my lunch and my reusable water bottle. When I ordered food, I was hesitant buying a water bottle, but I was thirsty and don't have a spare cup at my desk yet, so made the intentional choice to choose the reusable metal water option so I could have something if this happens again (because it will). I was feeling confident in my choice... only to find out Evergreens stopped carrying them. And when I got the food, looking at the amount of plastic that is part of creating a to-go meal is really upsetting. It makes me wonder what efforts we are making locally to encourage our tenants to use eco-friendlier packaging for to-go items. Are there incentives for them to do it?

Read More
Kristen Dutra 10/14/2021 3:48 PM

Something small, but hopefully meaningful: I realized my tea kettle was plugged in all of the time. It will take some practice plugging and unplugging it, but I realized there is no reason it needs to stay plugged in when not in use.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use a Reusable Mug

Maybe you've heard how good it is to switch from a single use coffee cup to a reusable one, but it's just hard to make the switch. What stands in your way of making this a habit? By identifying the challenges, you can begin to work through them to have better success in taking this action. Knowing the difference you are making, how does it make you feel?

Kristen Dutra 10/11/2021 2:46 PM

I primarily drink tea, and as long as I have access to hot water I can make it most anywhere. The problem I have is the tea bag. One of my favorite brands packages the tea individually in packets that cannot be recycled, which is frustrating. Loose leaf is an option, but it's frequently messy. I'm still developing a good method for it.

Read More
- Kristen Dutra 10/14/2021 3:54 PM
  
  That would be great, Nicole! I can't reply directly to you, so hopefully you see this. I'll send you a message directly, if not. My other frustration is the tea ball infuser I use leaves a lot of the leaves out, so something like that would be better at containing it!
  
  Read More
- Nicole Campbell 10/13/2021 2:29 PM
  
  Kristen - I am also a tea drinker and have found compostable tea-bags that you can fill yourself with loose-leaf tea. They have been a game-changer for me. I can send you a link for where to find them if you'd like!
  
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Kristen Dutra 10/08/2021 10:35 AM

This is a really great article about "energy vampires" in the home. I had never heard of smart power strips before; think I need to upgrade mine! https://www.duke-energy.com/energy-education/energy-savings-and-efficiency/energy-vampires

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