Margaret Becker

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

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 5 friends, family and/or colleagues.

I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet every day.

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during the EcoChallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation.

I will source 50 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.

I will spend at least 5 minutes learning more about the environmental services provided by and the environmental issues affecting temperate forests.

I will spend 5 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.