Melanie Kasper
4/27/2024 9:05 AM
Have conversations with coworkers about sustainability. How we can make small changes.
Melanie Kasper
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 589 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO504gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO51itemsrecycled
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UP TO17single-use bagsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO16disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO37plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO131pounds of CO2have been saved
Melanie's actions
At Home
Learn the Truth about Expiration Dates
I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
At Work
Printer Paper
Re-use scraps of paper without PHI that were misprinted
At Work
Work From Home
I will work from home 1 day(s) to avoid my commute's carbon output.
At Work
Last to Leave? Lights Out, Please!
Lighting makes up approximately 10% of hospitals' energy use on average. I will save energy by turning off unnecessary lights when not in use and when I am the last one to leave a space.
At Work
Recycling Champion
I will recycle 6 items at work and/or at home each day, making sure I review recycling program guidelines and only place accepted items that are clean, empty, and dry in the recycling bin.
At Home
Shorter Showers
I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.
In Our Communities
Use Reusable Bags
I will refuse 2 of single-use paper or plastic bags each day by bringing my own reusable bags or carrying purchased goods another way.
One Healthcare
Use A Reusable Mug/Bottle
I will keep 3 disposable cup(s) and/or bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle, cup, or mug.
At Home
Brush My Teeth Without Water Running
I will save up to 4 gallons (15 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.
At Home
Switch to Cold Water
I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONAt Work Last to Leave? Lights Out, Please!How could you encourage your coworkers to develop the habit of turning lights off?
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Josh Yamauchi (St. Francis Regional Medical Center) 4/28/2024 6:17 AMEvery interaction/conversation makes a difference. Thank you for doing your part! -
Josh Yamauchi (St. Francis Regional Medical Center) 4/28/2024 6:17 AMEvery interaction/conversation makes a difference. Thank you for doing your part! -
Josh Yamauchi (St. Francis Regional Medical Center) 4/28/2024 6:17 AMEvery interaction/conversation makes a difference. Thank you for doing your part! -
Sara Menvielle 4/27/2024 11:30 AMThat's a great idea discussing small changes we can all make!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONOne Healthcare Use A Reusable Mug/BottleWhile water bottles are needed for health and safety in certain places, we can do more to reduce the unnecessary use of them. What are the barriers to you using reusable bottles and tap water instead of bottled water? How could you make this a permanent habit?
Melanie Kasper 4/27/2024 9:01 AMA big barrier to using the reusable items for fluids is the sheer convenience. I always bring my water bottle and coffee mug to work but when I go out-like for coffee, I forget I can also ask the workers to use my mug or bottle. I have found most places are open to using outside mugs, etc if you ask. I have started keeping a water bottle in my car to be filled if I "need" coffee or anything else. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAt Work Work From HomeWhat have you found to be the biggest pros and cons of working from home?
Melanie Kasper 4/24/2024 7:09 AMLess commute time, less frustration from other drivers :),
More distractions, due to my line of work, not really a possibility most days.-
Anita Jordan 4/24/2024 8:36 AMI love the unlimited simi free coffee at home. I can have as much or little at home for far less than when in the office. I can drink several cups a day which can be expensive as opposed to having the whole pot handy throughout the day. -
Josh Yamauchi (St. Francis Regional Medical Center) 4/24/2024 8:17 AMAll very true! -
Atlas Tsai 4/24/2024 8:11 AMLess frustration is awesome!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONAt Home Shorter ShowersName some of the human activities impacting the health of water systems, both locally (your watershed) and globally (freshwater and oceans). What can you do to improve the health of water systems?
Melanie Kasper 4/24/2024 7:07 AMUse proper waste streams to protect water supply, use the water you need, turn it off when you don't.
Global water systems: Reduce, reuse, recycle. Avoid waste which will likely end up in the ocean. Cut rings so wildlife does not get trapped.-
Melissa Ondricek 4/24/2024 7:42 AMCutting rings should include the loops on the mask we wear as well. :)
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Melanie Kasper 4/24/2024 6:37 AMI am having a hard time remembering to log in! I re-started a compost plot and bin at our house this month! So far, so good. Having a hard time not pulling weeds (dandelions) for our pollinators.-
Kathryn Schroeder 4/25/2024 6:26 AMThat's awesome! I've had a few videos pop up on my Instagram feed about dandelion honey and infused oil. I agree though, difficult to not pull them up! -
Bethany Hatlevig 4/24/2024 12:55 PMLet the dandelions live!! Lol. I so badly want to clean out the dead leaves and stems in my gardens and let everything be pretty and green--it's so hard to leave it be for the pollinators still hibernating. I have all MN native wildflowers around my house, so lots of plants are already poking out of the ground a few inches!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONAt Home Switch to Cold WaterHow else can you reduce the environmental footprint of clothing and textiles?
Melanie Kasper 4/18/2024 5:32 AMDo I really need these new clothing items? If the answer is yes, then I try to find more reputable sources for clothing and avoiding fast fashion and extremely low prices.-
Kathryn Schroeder 4/18/2024 8:00 AMThrift shops are a great option and also Buy Nothing groups on Facebook! "Borrow before you buy, buy used before new." This will help the earth and your wallet a bit :)
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REFLECTION QUESTIONIn Our Communities Use Reusable BagsWhat do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items, but don't have a reusable one with you or aren't allowed to use the one you brought? What tips do you have for others who are trying to form a habit of using reusable bags?
Melanie Kasper 4/18/2024 5:30 AMI bought a collapsible reusable bag that was made from old plastic bags. rePETE is a great company! I used to keep it clipped to my purse so I would not have to remember to bring it inside the store. I keep lots of reusable bags in my car. If I cannot use them in the store, I try to think to myself if I can keep them in the cart then bag them in my car. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAt Work Recycling ChampionWhen did you learn about recycling? Why is recycling important to you?
Melanie Kasper 4/18/2024 5:27 AMI learned about recycling early in school and have sought more education about how and what is recyclable. I learned the specifics of what can be recycled in my area with my garbage servicer from the specific company. Getting waste to the right waste stream is important to me for sustainability and preservation of environment.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONAt Home Brush My Teeth Without Water RunningDo you live in an area that is water secure or with water scarcity? What other actions do you take to use water more efficiently?
Melanie Kasper 4/18/2024 5:25 AMI don't live in an area of water insecurity. I have noticed that sometimes I forget to turn off the water between use at times. Like when I fill a bunch of water bottles or cleaning dishes. Do I need it running? No, probably not. I just need to stop the water even when it is less convenient to turn water on/off. -
Melanie Kasper 4/10/2024 10:36 AMMy favorite sustainability quote to think of when I am feeling overwhelmed about all there is to do is this: "We don't need a few people practicing zero-waste perfectly, we need millions practicing zero-waste imperfectly."-
Kathryn Schroeder 4/11/2024 8:00 AMThis is such a great reminder. And it really does take a lot of the pressure off of trying to be perfectly sustainable or truly zero waste.
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