John Mastropietro

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

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

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 recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

I will find out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

I will replace 20 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

I will plant 1 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

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 spend at least 20 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching heat pumps to see if installing one makes sense for my home/building.

I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.

I will spend at least 120 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

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