Ecochallenge.org

The People's Ecochallenge

October 6 - October 27, 2021

Daphne Hajovsky

Texas Green Step

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,184 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

advocacy action

completed
UP TO

2.0

donations

made
UP TO

0.0

hours

volunteered
UP TO

595

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

60

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

28

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

92

pounds of CO2

have been saved

Daphne's actions

Community

Learn About Constructive Communication

Do at Home

I will spend 20 minute(s) learning about constructive communication.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Calculate My Water Footprint

Do at Home

I will calculate my Water Footprint to learn about my tap water use and "virtual water" use.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Connect with a Nonprofit

Do at Home

I will connect with a local nonprofit, environmental or otherwise, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Switch to Cold Water

Do at Home

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Health

Audit Toxic Cleaning Products in my Home

Do at Home

I will spend 30 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Eliminate Toxic Plastics

Do at Home

I will avoid buying toxic plastics - including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl - and instead replace them with durable non-plastic options.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Exercise Daily

Do at Home

Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 30 minute(s) each day.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

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

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Healing and Renewal

Go for a Daily Walk Outside

Do at Home

I will take a walk outside for 30 minutes each day.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community

Reduce Single-Use Disposables

Do at Home

Historically, marginalized and low-income communities live closer to landfills, contributing to a multitude of health problems. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate. I will keep 2 container(s) out of the landfill each day.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community

Donate to or Volunteer for Low-Income Solar Initiatives

Do at Home

Whether it's by donating or volunteering, I will research the benefits of low-income solar and find out how I can support low-income solar initiatives in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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
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?

Daphne Hajovsky 10/27/2021 8:12 AM

Sometimes I will just carry the item(s) out without a bag, if that is doable. I also keep a nylon bag in my purse (it folds up really small) for those times that I forget my reuseable bags in the car.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Exercise Daily

How can you incorporate other personal values (like quality time with friends or spending time in nature) into your exercise routine?

Daphne Hajovsky 10/27/2021 8:07 AM

I walk 3 to 5 times a week with 2 friends. That hour of walking and talking is good for the heart both physically and spiritually.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Connect with a Nonprofit

What inspires you to act toward a more sustainable community?

Daphne Hajovsky 10/27/2021 8:02 AM

Donated and signed up to volunteer with Ellis County Homeless Coalition. Looking forward to finding out ways that I can make an impact.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Eliminate Toxic Plastics

What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?

Daphne Hajovsky 10/13/2021 9:04 AM

I have purchased string bags to take to store to put produce in. I also carry reusable shopping bags. I have one that is nylon that folds up really small that I keep in my purse for the times I forget and leave the shopping bags in my car. I put leftovers in containers instead of plastic bags.

Read More
- Cora Lansdowne 10/17/2021 4:29 PM
  
  We bought bamboo utensil sets to keep in the car for when we get take out. It's great as long as we remember to tell the restaurant we don't need plastic utensils!!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Healing and Renewal Go for a Daily Walk Outside

Fresh air and movement are good for our entire being and can help us think more clearly and creatively. How does taking a walk each day affect yourself and/or your work?

Daphne Hajovsky 10/11/2021 6:07 PM

I really enjoyed walking and enjoying nature at the State Park. Also was fun walking with my grandsons and trying to find different bugs and plants.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community Reduce Single-Use Disposables

What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What did you substitute or could be substituted instead?

Daphne Hajovsky 10/11/2021 6:02 PM

Normally when we camp I bring individual throw-a-way plastic bottled waters. This time I filled multiple large thermoses and other re-usable containters with filtered water from home. Don't know exactly how many water bottles we did not use over the weekend but I would estimate at least 20!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community Donate to or Volunteer for Low-Income Solar Initiatives

Equitable access, environmental justice and creating employment opportunities are just a few advantages of low-income solar programs. Can you think of other benefits that could come from initiatives like this? Which advantages of low-income solar do you find the most compelling?

Daphne Hajovsky 10/08/2021 12:35 PM

I see a great need for equitable access and environmental justice in solar programs but did not find an organization that was working on this in Texas. I did donate to Grid Alternative but they mainly provide assistance in California.

Read More
- Cora Lansdowne 10/11/2021 6:12 AM
  
  I'm sending you a couple of links - one is a list of organizations and associations in case there is one or two you haven't found in your searches. And the other two are north texas solar advocacy groups. Not sure if they are working on social justice issues with solar energy, but it's worth an ask!
  
  Read More