Ecochallenge.org

Campus EcoChallenge

Grace Dhanens

Sustainability Action Spring 2018

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
530 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

45

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

216

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

20

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

30

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

24

organic meals

consumed
UP TO

30

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

1.5

pounds of paper

have been saved
UP TO

27

more servings

of fruits and vegetables
UP TO

18

whole food meals

consumed
UP TO

20

zero-waste meals

consumed

Grace's actions

Energy

Switch to Cold Water

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of C02 over the course of the next year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Share my Actions

I will make my environmental actions visible by posting on social media using the #EcoChallenge hashtag.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Whole Foods Diet

I will enjoy 2 meal(s) per day free of processed foods.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

5-Minute Showers

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Cut Out Harmful Self-Care Products

I will check labels on my shampoo, lotions and/or beauty products. I'll replace products that use known carcinogens such as formaldehyde, cocamide diethanolamine, DMDM hydantoin or benzene.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Print Double Sided

I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper per day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

More fruits and veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 3 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Exercise Daily

I will exercise daily for 30 minute(s) per day for two weeks.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Water

Brush My Teeth Without Running Water

I will save up to 8 gallons (30 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Go Organic

I will choose organic as often as possible to reduce exposure to pesticides, which are unhealthy for me as well as the planet.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Turn it off

I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Audit Toxic Plastics

I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Ditch The AC

I will use a fan instead of a window air conditioner.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 5 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Choose Organic Ingredients

I will enjoy 3 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients per day.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Ditch Microbeads

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Eat Meatless Meals

I will enjoy 2 meatless meal(s) per day.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

If It's Yellow Let It Mellow

I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Zero-Waste Meals

I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero waste each day.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Wash Only Full Loads of Laundry

I will conserve water by only doing full loads of laundry.

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?

Grace Dhanens 4/18/2018 11:33 AM

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go up into the Sierra Nevada Mountains, more specifically in Sequoias. I love bing within the trees and up on top of a ridge of a hike. I love breathing in the fresh air. Me and my friends were talking about and imagining if people didn't destroy the world, would it look like this all over. This made me pumped about about being more sustainable and encouraging others so that the beautiful places we still have, last. My ecochallenge is going well! Still keeping up all my tasks.

Read More
- Harry Watkins 4/22/2018 8:15 PM
  
  I'm glad, Grace, but I don't see evidence of that in your scoring. ???
  
  Read More
Grace Dhanens 4/11/2018 1:38 PM

My parents house in north county San Diego has a large vegetable garden that I helped them plant, full of different kinds of lettuce kale, beets, celery, brussels, sprouts, cauliflower, spinach, herbs etc. So fun going up there and picking so much greens from the garden that you can make a full salad for four people. And then the plant just keeps growing more lettuce so it lasts for a whole season. Six pack of lettuce wasn’t that expensive at a local nursery. We got those produce at a nursery up north but the one down here that I like to go to is called Walter Anderson‘s. I highly recommend it for produce. It’s pretty cheap and it’s almost about that time to start planning your summer vegetable garden!

Read More
- Michael Figueroa 4/11/2018 2:36 PM
  
  wow those plants look awesome
  
  Read More
- Grace Dhanens 4/11/2018 1:45 PM
  
  Read More
Grace Dhanens 4/11/2018 1:26 PM

I used the lime bike again this week, which is really fun and easily accessible. I’ve been keeping up with reusable mugs. Other than driving I’m feeling pretty good about my ecological footprint.

Read More
Grace Dhanens 4/04/2018 8:51 AM

My parents have chickens, and just got 5 new baby chicks. When I am home I love collecting the eggs and eating them - they taste so much better then store bought. Having chickens really makes me aware of the conditions and treatment of chickens and the added hormones. I have done research into some companies that do treat their chickens well and I recommend the two brands: Vital Farms and Happy Egg Co. - natural, organic, no added hormones, free ranged, pasture raised, etc. So I recommend these two brands. Here's what they look like:

Read More
- Harry Watkins 4/08/2018 8:57 PM
  
  Thanks, Grace! We raise chickens too, but this is helpful!
  
  Read More
- Katie Hibbard 4/04/2018 10:14 AM
  
  Thanks for putting up the photos of eggs Grace! This is very helpful and now I will try to get only the cartons that look like this. Unless you bring me some from your home ( ;
  
  Read More
Grace Dhanens 3/28/2018 12:58 PM

I also downloaded the Limebike and Ofo biking apps. And I have opted to ride bikes instead of driving to my friends house around town. It’s so fun to just find them whenever and bike around. Fun to do with friends.:)

Read More
- Harry Watkins 4/02/2018 1:19 PM
  
  Cool!
  
  Read More
Grace Dhanens 3/28/2018 12:05 PM

My eco challenges are going good. I am stilling not using any disposable cups. I bring a mug or travel cup to school and church and other outings and my friends and family have been motivated and have started doing that as well. I even see more people at church bringing their mugs for the free coffee, as alternative of the disposable cups provided.

Read More
- Harry Watkins 4/02/2018 1:19 PM
  
  That's good, Grace. But you don't seem to be clicking through on your challenges such that you get any points! Why not?
  
  Read More
Grace Dhanens 3/14/2018 3:04 PM

For spring break me and some friends got the privilege to go to Hawaii. Being there made me so appreciative of the amount of greenery and nature was there and the environment friendly way of living on the island. However, there was one beach we went to that for some reason, maybe due to currents or placement, so much trash washed up on that specific beach. Me and my friend were walking down the beach and it was so sad. But then we saw a few people that were picking up trash so we asked them if they had extra bags and they did and so we joined them in picking up some of the trash. Sadly there was so much trash that we had to be picky with the trash we picked up. But it felt great being able to help a little, even if it was only two trash bags full.

Read More
- Harry Watkins 3/26/2018 10:57 AM
  
  Great work, Grace!
  
  Read More
- Michelle Picca 3/18/2018 8:58 PM
  
  That's awesome! Thank you for being stewards of our planet!
  
  Read More
Grace Dhanens 2/28/2018 10:01 AM

I have been eating lots of vegetables, like usual, but I am trying to buy more organic. I like to try to support local produce places that sell organic, like produce stands or farmers markets. My favorite place to go is a little far, but when I am up in North Country San Diego, I almost always go. It's called Just Peachy and its in Leucadia or north Encinitas, on the 101 and it has really good prices for produce and fresh organic produce. I 100% recommend if your up in the area! :) ( 1354 N Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 )

Read More
- Harry Watkins 3/11/2018 7:46 PM
  
  Thanks for the recommendation!
  
  Read More
- Michelle Picca 2/28/2018 11:55 PM
  
  Thanks for this! I drive back home to Oceanside often so I'll make sure to stop there one day and check out the organic fruits and veggies!
  
  Read More
Grace Dhanens 2/28/2018 9:54 AM

Sad news. My Hydroflask fell out of my bag when I checked it on a flight! So I have been with out a water bottle for two weeks and I feel incomplete and dehydrated! But that hasn't stopped me from being environment friendly because I have not used one disposable bottle. I have either used thermoses, cups, or just used the drinking fountain! So trying to save up to get another one!

Read More
Grace Dhanens 2/20/2018 10:51 PM

Eco Challenges are going well. Me and my roommates' compost is growing, which means less trash. Yay! The only plastic I am using is the things I need at the grocery store that don't come in an alternative. But no to go items or unnecessary bags. Me and my roommate, the one and only Katie Hibbs, are starting to plan what we are gonna put in our vegetable garden for spring! Can't wait!

Read More
- Katie Hibbard 2/21/2018 9:45 AM
  
  I am thinking more arugula (for your obsession) , lettuce, carrots, beets (for my obsession) , maybe some radishes!?
  
  Read More