Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown

April 1 - April 30, 2021

WBA US Global Sourcing Feed

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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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Keep Track of Wasted Food

An average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. How would you rather use this money?

Dionne Carloni 4/30/2021 6:35 PM

I started with a clean fridge when I started the month after getting back from a trip, so very little actual food waste but a total of 10.5 lbs that went out to compost (peels, skins, etc). The last time I did this assessment I joined Block Bins as a composting service, so it feels better to put my money towards that service to reroute produce scraps.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Reduce Animal Products

Why do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our bodies, our planet, and other people?

Dionne Carloni 4/30/2021 2:12 PM

I am going to be eating meat much more mindfully now. I hadn't taken into account the impacts to the environment as well as potentially on my health. Now that I've tried alternate options it's not nearly as difficult as I thought it was and I am confident I can make a reduction in how much I consume.

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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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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

What are some of the barriers that exist to women's equal participation and/or representation in your community?

Dionne Carloni 4/30/2021 11:20 AM

Traditional gendered realities likely reduce the number of women pursing representative roles in communities as well as the continued wealth gap considering the cost to maintain a political career.

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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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Amanda Ketchum 4/30/2021 10:35 AM

I spent a lot of my free time in April focusing on planting a garden. While the weather isn't quite ready to transfer my sprouting vegetables into the ground. Since moving to Chicago, I have been missing having a garden for fresh produce and am excited that we found a solution this year that works with the space we have and have alignment with our neighbors. I'm so excited to upgrade from an indoor herb garden last year to a small selection of produce and herbs this year!

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