

Matthea Mitchell
"Let's make the world more sustainable!"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 627 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO2.0advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO27plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO26plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO15more servingsof fruits and vegetables
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UP TO450minutesspent learning
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UP TO120minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO1.0waste auditconducted
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UP TO10pounds of paperhave been saved
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UP TO1.0documentarywatched
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UP TO3.0locally sourced mealsconsumed
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UP TO27meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
Matthea's actions
Health
More Fruits and Veggies
Do at Home
I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 4 cup(s) of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.
Waste
Choose Two-Sided Printing
Do at Home
I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper per day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided when I have to print documents.
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.
Waste
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
Do at Home
I will keep 4 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.
Food
Reduce Animal Products
Do at Home
I will enjoy 4 meatless meal(s) and/or 4 vegan meal(s) each day this week.
Water
Say No to Plastic Straws
Do at Home
An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When they ingest plastic, marine life has a 50% mortality rate. By asking for no straw when placing a drink order, I will keep 4 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.
Food
Buy From a Farmers Market
Do at Home
I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.
Food
Plant an Herb Garden
Do at Home
I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.
Action Track: Healing and Renewal
Core Values
Do at Home
We may find more meaning and joy in life when our actions are aligned with our personal values. I will determine what my top 3-5 core values are so that I can better align my actions with them.
Waste
Find Local Recycling Depots
Do at Home
I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in recycling dumpsters or my curbside bin.
Waste
Go Paperless
Do at Home
I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 3.4lbs (1.5kg) a month or 41lbs (18.6kg) a year by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.
Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community
Watch a Documentary about Racial Injustice
Do at Home
I will watch 2 documentary(ies) about systemic racism.
Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community
Support Native Communities
Do at Home
I will use the resource links provided and spend 30 minutes learning about the native populations that lived in my area prior to colonization, and what I can do to support those that still exist.
Food
Meet My Local Farmers
I will visit my nearest farm to find out who produces my food, and will learn about the quality of life of those around the world who produce my food in order to make better choices when I shop.
Nature
Explore My Area
I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.
Transportation
Improve a Bus Stop
I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or some other small improvement.
Waste
Personal Waste Audit
Do at Home
I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.
Waste
Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion
Do at Home
I will spend 30 minutes learning about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.
Waste
Advocate For More Food Packaging Options
Do at Home
I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus to reduce pollution in the environment and in local communities.
Waste
Research Local Waste Sites
Do at Home
I will spend 35 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.
Waste
Tour a Waste Management Facility
Do at Home
I will spend at least 15 minute(s) touring (virtually or in person) a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about our local waste and waste recovery streams.
Action Track: Healing and Renewal
Research Restorative Justice
Do at Home
I will spend 15 minutes learning about restorative justice and conflict resolution opportunities in my own community or state.
Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community
Learn About Trans, Femme, and Nonbinary Experiences
Do at Home
I will spend 45 minutes learning about the experiences of trans, femme, and/or nonbinary people.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFoodConsider the ways you can garden: a plot of land? a patio container? hanging basket? windowsill gardens? What would work best for your living situation and lifestyle?
Matthea Mitchell 10/27/2021 8:56 PMOne way to garden while I am living in a residence hall is by utilizing a windowsill garden. Lettuce, tomatoes, and tea plants are easy plants to have when trying to grow them from a window ! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONTransportationHow can you advocate for transportation systems which minimize environmental impact while also meeting human needs?
Matthea Mitchell 10/27/2021 8:54 PMOne way that I can advocate for transportation systems that minimize environmental impact while also meeting human needs is by suggesting the use of bikes, skate(boards), scooters, carpooling, or the act of simply walking/running to a destination opposed to always driving separately to destinations. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWasteHow can you express your personality, creativity, and values in ways that don't require fast fashion or buying more clothes and accessories?
Matthea Mitchell 10/27/2021 8:52 PMBy upcycling clothes, wearing old clothes, sharing clothes, and purchasing clothes from brands that are sustainable, fashion and sustainability can be achieved ;) -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFoodWhat is one food choice that you make, or could make, that would do more good and less harm?
Matthea Mitchell 10/27/2021 8:48 PMI choose to be a pescatarian because it is healthier for me and it is good for the environment. Eating this way shrinks my carbon footprint and makes me feel more sustainable :) -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWasteWhy is it often difficult to understand the impacts our purchases and waste have on other people, animals, and places?
Matthea Mitchell 10/27/2021 11:49 AMIt is hard to understand the impact of personal waste on others since most of the waste we contribute is taken away from our physical sight. We are unable to see how our individual actions add onto to the waste created by others, and it is easy to lose track of how much that we add individually. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONNatureHow can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place -- your deep knowledge of and appreciation for your surroundings?
Matthea Mitchell 10/27/2021 10:31 AMBy immersing myself in nature, it helps me to appreciate the natural parts of the earth. There are so many man-made structures and entertainment in the world, and it is easy to forget about the nature that was here before us. By spending time outside, it reminds me to appreciate the beauty and simplicity of the earth, and it inspires me to help sustain the beauty as well. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWasteChoosing two-sided printing can be an easy adjustment on your computer settings. How can you help others make this same switch? Can it be encouraged company wide?
Matthea Mitchell 10/27/2021 10:29 AMBy choosing double-sided printing, we can all help to conserve more forests and add less paper waste to landfills. It is also easy to avoid printing in general by saving and sharing things digitally ;) -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealthHow does eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat positively affect yourself, other people, and our planet?
Matthea Mitchell 10/27/2021 10:25 AMWhen I eat more fruits and vegetables, I feel healthier and happier knowing that the food going into my body is good for me. Additionally, by consuming more veggies and fruits, and consuming less meat, fewer greenhouse gases are put into the environment and more biodiversity among animals can occur. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWasteWhile water bottles are needed for health and safety in certain places, we can do more to reduce the unnecessary use of them. What are the barriers to you using reusable bottles and tap water instead of bottled water? How could you make this a permanent habit?
Matthea Mitchell 10/26/2021 11:51 AMOne of the biggest barriers to using reusable water bottles is the habit of eating out. When ordering drinks from a restaurant, specifically fast food, their cups are almost always one-time-use. To avoid using one-time-use cups, avoid/limit eating out, or bring your own reusable cup out with you. Often times, certain restaurants will allow you to being your own reusable cup, which will limit waste :) -
Matthea Mitchell 10/26/2021 10:45 AMThroughout this year's eco-challenge, I have really enjoyed being able to contribute to making the world more sustainable. I have learned a lot through watching documentaries, speaking with farmers and people in my community, and changing my habits to be more sustainable. I look forward to next year's challenge, and I am excited to continue practicing good habits to make the world a healthier place! :)