Jeffrey Rurka

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 6 container(s) out of the landfill each day.

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

I will keep 10 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 6 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

I will watch 3 documentary(ies) about systemic racism.

I will spend at least 60 minutes finding out what local laws, policies, and practices keep people from voting in my community.

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.

I will spend 60 minutes researching environmental justice and environmental racism concerns in my region, who is affected by them, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

Greenhouse gases found in old refrigerants are up to 10,900 times more potent than carbon dioxide. I will help eliminate these gases through the purchase of offset credits to ensure we all have a planet we can thrive on.

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in recycling dumpsters or my curbside bin.

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.

I will watch 2 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

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

I will avoid sending 10 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

I will install a greywater catchment system in my home.

I will spend 54 minutes researching the impact of old harmful refrigerants on our environment.

I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.