The Hartford's EARTH Team

Water bottles is a big issue. I have committed to using a refillable water bottle to avoid buying one time use bottles. I started reusing plastic utensils and containers from to-go food orders for my son's lunch. I have also started refusing plastic straws. I also switched my laundry detergent to detergent sheets to cut down on the large...

I had not realized about the microplastics problem in clothes washing. I just ordered the Guppyfriend laundry bag and am looking forward to trying it! I am grateful for the EcoChallenge so that I can keep learning new ways to do better.

I was shocked to learn about my own Virtual water usage. I will be limiting online orders to needs that I cannot find locally. I also will make a conscious effort to not eat meat at least once a week! Those seem to be a couple of my biggest impacts, so those are my top two focus areas.

Meal planning is new to me as my family eats differently. I have been intentional with my meal planning and am able to plan at least one meal per day. It has helped me avoid food waste and think of creative meals that everyone would enjoy- avoiding making different things for everyone.

Started my garden by planting peas. Also started growing tomatoes from seed about 3 weeks ago to transplant into my garden when they are ready. Instead of buying plastic trays I'm using a trick I read about to make individual 'pots' from newspaper and paper rolls that can be transplanted into the ground and will compost.

Water conservation and reducing plastic use (like water bottles) seem like easy things to do and yet they have a big impact.

My daughter and started to use reusable water bottles instead of plastic water bottles a few months ago. I began to purchase water for a stand up unit and we use that to fill our reusable water bottles. It was definitely something we had to be very intentional with in the beginning as we were so used to grabbing a plastic bottle and going....

I went outside to feed the birds and noticed a quite large turtle. I followed it out to the empty field and on my way noticed trash including plastic bags and Styrofoam. it made me release this poor turtle, as well as other animals have to walk through this trash on their paths. Stopping and picking it up connected me with awareness.

A couple small changes I made recently after reading on the Waterways actions. First, I 'scrape vs rinse' before I put in the dishwasher. So far the dishes still come out clean! Second, I already dispose of cooking oil as described in the article but I now make sure to wipe out the extra leftover residue in the pan with a (used) piece of paper...

It is early spring here in New England but I have a number of daffodils and tulips coming up in the yard. I have planted flowering shrubs and apple trees in the past to encourage the pollinators and have something blooming three seasons.