This challenge has really made me realize how much plastic we use daily and how I can reduce the plastic in my life. It’s even inspired my husband. 

I’ve been using my reusable mug I bought at the Market last summer and I love it! It’s a beautiful ceramic mug that not only reduces waste, but gets a lot of compliments! 

I have managed to repurpose some single-use plastics that I wasn’t able to avoid. I turned a plastic straw into a dropper to use when watering my tiny succulent plants. A handful of plastic cutlery now serves as spikes to keep animals and pets out of potted plants and beds in my backyard.  

Happened to be wearing my AQ polo and picked up quite a few small pieces of trash around our buildings walking back and forth. I think our guests appreciate seeing us practice what we preach! :) 

I just need to vent about what I saw at the airport over the weekend.  A woman went into Starbucks & got 4 plastic cups (with lids) of water.  She proceeded to bring them back to her family.  Her family then poured the cups of water into their reusable water bottles.  What?!?!  There are water bottle filling stations all over the airport!  What a waste! 

Hope everyone is doing well! :)

unless this email comes everyday, I am not checking in

I've bought a reusable bottle that does hot and cold, and have quit using plastic straws. I haven't started recycling yet though. My next thing is to get a reusable bag I can take to the grocery store.

When I need to highlight something I use colored pencils instead of the marker types that are heavily pushed on students and teachers. Plastic Free!

I may be donned “bag lady”. I made a cloth bag to store mesh bags for produce and a bread bag. Many cloth bags hang on the side of my purse for shopping trips. I have a metal straw for drinks now. The amount of trash strewn across the coastline of the Tennessee River is terrifying. We were able to take the trash and sort it at the recycling center so that at least we had an idea of where it would end up.