April 1 - April 30, 2021

Janet Misiti

"I am committed to a sustainable future and to improving the social, economic and environmental well being of our community. I am dedicated educate myself on environmental improvements that foster a sustainable future and lead to social and economical improvements in the community in which I live and we do business."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,453 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

270

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

4.0

lightbulbs

replaced
UP TO

38

locally sourced meals

consumed
UP TO

64

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

1,828

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

60

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

66

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Janet's actions

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Support Local Food Systems

Plant-Rich Diets

I will source 10 percent of my food from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Smaller Portions

Reduced Food Waste

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Industry

Recycle Everything I Can

Recycling

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will research and recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community, making sure to not contaminate recyclables with non-recyclables.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Solar Water Consultation

Solar Hot Water

I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Fix Leaky Faucets

Low-Flow Fixtures

I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities. Fixing leaky faucets can save up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water a day or 270 (1,020 L) gallons of water a month per faucet.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Buy Bamboo

Bamboo Production

When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Support Businesses Owned by Women, BIPOC, or Immigrants

Sustainable Intensification for Smallholders

I will spend 60 minutes researching businesses owned by women, immigrants, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color that I can support when shopping.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Choose Recycled Paper

Recycled Paper

I will plan ahead to only use paper products made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Reduce Single-Use Disposables

Bioplastics

Cheap, single-use items and disposable packaging end up blowing around as litter more often in poor and BIPOC-majority neighborhoods. I will avoid buying and using 4 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 60 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Choose LED Bulbs

LED Lighting

I will replace 8 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Rooftop Solar Consultation

Distributed Solar Photovoltaics

After researching the incentives at the federal, state, utility, and local levels, I will contact a local installer/distributor for a solar panel installation consultation on my house.

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?

Janet Misiti 4/30/2021 1:55 PM

As this challenge draws to a close, I will commit to continuing my positive impact on our environment and continue to educate myself on eco-friendly ways of life. Here is a photo of a very healthy, established tree I saw on my walk this morning. Have a good weekend team!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Buy Bamboo

Are bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?

Janet Misiti 4/30/2021 1:53 PM

We are proud owners of a new deck in our backyard. We decided not to purchase wood but rather the eco-friendly Trex composite decks. We were happy to learn that Trex uses some of the most earth-friendly manufacturing processes in the country, reclaiming factory waste and eliminating the use of harmful chemicals! If you are in the market for a new deck, check them out!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Choose Recycled Paper

Good job on choosing recycled paper! How can you take your action a step further?

Janet Misiti 4/30/2021 1:51 PM

We have made a conscious effort not to use paper. I think a big part of this is how we have changed behaviors at work. Everything is electronic and should be for the most part. We used to have 3 printers and we recently donated one. We will use the ink of the 2nd and donate that one as well so we will only have one for important documents.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Reduce Single-Use Disposables

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

Janet Misiti 4/30/2021 1:47 PM

Last year I invested in two types of straws, plastic and metal. The plastic straws are various bright colors with white stripes and they really dress up a tropical drink! I use them when I have guests over and everyone is impressed. The gold metal ones are for me! I am not the best water drinker but sometimes if I have a straw I am more inclined to stay hydrated. I always felt bad about the straws found in our water sources so this is my way to not contribute to that.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Industry Recycle Everything I Can

How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle? How does considering implementing these "R's" make you feel?

Janet Misiti 4/30/2021 1:44 PM

I love shopping at estate sales. My grandpa took me when I was young and as an adult I have found the value in quality items such as furniture. I shop estate sales now to have fun and look for treasures. This Eco Challenge has motivated me to look for items that I could repurpose whether it be items at home or another opportunity to hunt for things while shopping estate sales on the weekends! Not everything belongs in a landfill!

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Janet Misiti 4/30/2021 10:42 AM

Captured these sweet moments in nature on my walk this morning.

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Janet Misiti 4/28/2021 5:31 AM

Did you know half the world's species live in rain forests? Rain forests are near the equator where it's always warm, so this makes sense. It was an interesting fact I thought I'd share. Have a great day team!

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- Nathalie Sowatzke 4/28/2021 2:29 PM
  
  This is such a cool tidbit of info!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Smaller Portions

While dishing food out, we tend to load our plates with more than we need. Using smaller plates helps to mitigate this. Aside from the environmental benefits, what other benefits might come from eating/serving smaller portions?

Janet Misiti 4/26/2021 1:31 PM

I learned this behavior from my husband. He only takes a little food and goes back for more if he is still hungry. You can always take more later and chances are you won't even want it. Our eyes are typically bigger than our stomachs as the saying goes! As you give your body time to process the meal, you enjoy conversation and before you know it, you are full. I think as Americans, we tend to overeat in many ways. I am consciously taking smaller portions as often as possible. I feel better if I don't stuff myself.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Solar Water Consultation

Diversifying our energy supply and improving public health are just two benefits of renewable energy. What other motivators inspire you to consider installing a solar water heater in your home?

Janet Misiti 4/26/2021 1:28 PM

Not only would installing a solar water heater in my home help with global warming, but it would also increase the value of my home. It's definitely a seller's market right now, but when we decided to move, it's likely it will be more competitive. It would be nice to install now and reap the benefits short and long term.

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Janet Misiti 4/24/2021 5:10 AM

Happy Weekend! I hope everyone is able to get some fresh air and exercise outside today or tomorrow! Right now I hear birds chirping reminding me to take my first walk. Took this picture of a neighbor's tulips yesterday. Enjoy!

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