Carla Elberson
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 723 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO46plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO19poundswaste composted
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UP TO20plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO38pieces of litterpicked up
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UP TO1.0water footprintcalculated
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UP TO1.0hourvolunteered
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UP TO21advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO20minutesspent learning
Carla's actions
Land + Forests
Keep My Community Clean
At times it may not feel like it's up to us to keep our community clean and healthy, but we all have a role to play. Each day I am outside, I will pick up any litter I see.
Land + Forests
Compost Food Waste
Food in the landfill is one of the main sources of greenhouse gasses. I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill per day by composting my food.
Freshwater + Oceans
Go Plastic-Free
Millions of tons of plastic is produced each year worldwide. Each day, I will conduct a plastics audit of what I buy and use throughout the challenge (kitchen, bathroom, personal care products, etc.), to see how single-use plastic shows up in my life. I will find plastic-free alternatives to these products and advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, product manufacturers, at work, or on campus.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Volunteer in my Community
I will volunteer 10 hours in my community.
Biodiversity + Wildlife
Plastic in Clothing and Water
Synthetic clothing can contain plastic and shed harmful microplastics into our water. I will use a microplastics catcher in my laundry, or install a microplastics filter for my washing machine.
Climate + Air
Choose Renewable Energy
Renewable energy options are becoming more widespread and accessible. Not only are they good for the planet, they can help save money as well. I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will contact them to advocate for this option in the future.
Freshwater + Oceans
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
Itr's estimated over a billion water bottles are thrown away each year. Even if they were recycled, that still uses energy and resources from the earth. I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.
Freshwater + Oceans
Reduce Pollutants in Cleaning
Understanding cleaning product ingredients and their effect on water and biodiversity is helpful to our consumer choices. I will spend 5 minutes learning about how cleaning products affect our water and try making my own cleaning products to reduce pollutants.
Freshwater + Oceans
Say No to Plastic Straws
An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When marine wildlife ingest plastic, they have a 50% mortality rate. By asking for no straw when placing a drink order, I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.
Freshwater + Oceans
Understand My Water Footprint
Each of us has a water footprint, directly linked to our daily activities as well as the water required in the production of things we use each day. Understanding our water use is important for a healthy planet. I will calculate my water footprint and look for a few ways I can reduce consumption or waste, then share what I learned on the feed.
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 QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Understand My Water FootprintWhat did you learn about your water footprint and what are you going to do to reduce and be aware of the water you use?
Carla Elberson 4/24/2024 9:29 AMMy water footprint was actually excellent. I will keep trying to turn off the water when brushing my teeth and when washing dishes by hand. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Go Plastic-FreeWhere did plastic show up on your life that surprised you the most? What plastic alternative products did you discover you may switch to?
Carla Elberson 4/23/2024 6:11 AMI’m vacationing in Va and am horrified at all the single use plastic that I see. I’m used to NJ’s bag and straw law. It’s upsetting! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Use a Reusable Water BottleWhat did you learn about the amount of plastic we consume and what actions will you take to reduce your use of plastic?
Carla Elberson 4/08/2024 2:21 PMI am using a reusable water bottle. For storage I use multi use plastic and glass containers. The plastic are at least 8 years old. As they wear out I will use more glass. I use plant based storage bags. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Volunteer in my CommunityHow does volunteering enhance your community and/or change your relationship with it?
Carla Elberson 4/04/2024 5:36 AMBy working in the gardens at my church I take ownership of them I enjoy the beauty and hope that pollinators will enjoy it also. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Keep My Community CleanHow does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?
Carla Elberson 4/02/2024 8:58 AMI clean up the walkway through my 55 plus community. I want it to look like someone cares. Most of the trash comes from a farm/recreation center close by. It makes me angry that parents don’t teach their kids to put their trash in a container or put it in their pocket until they get home. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Reduce Pollutants in CleaningWhat did you learn about ingredients in our cleaning products and how they impact water and biodiversity? Did you try making your own cleaning products? If so, how did it go?
Carla Elberson 4/01/2024 5:10 AMI make my own glass cleaner, and laundry spot remover. They are made from peroxide, alcohol,vinegar, and cornstarch. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBiodiversity + Wildlife Plastic in Clothing and WaterHow did you try to catch the release of microplastics in your laundry? What did you learn in the process?
Carla Elberson 4/01/2024 5:08 AMI use a guppy Friend bag that catches microplastics from my synthetic fabrics. I also have a heat pump dryer that keeps the shedded material out of the air. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand + Forests Compost Food WasteNew to composting? Be sure to check out the action resource links to learn tips and more about it. As you transition from throwing food away to composting, what do you notice about how much you are tossing? How will you use your compost once it is ready?
Carla Elberson 4/01/2024 5:03 AMWe have so much less trash now that we’re composting. I will out compost around my perennials and shrubs. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFreshwater + Oceans Say No to Plastic StrawsWhat single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?
Carla Elberson 4/01/2024 5:01 AMI use compostable food storeage bags for leftovers and silicon straws for my smoothie every day.