heather borst

I will write down three things every day that I am grateful for every day.

I will save up to 4 gallons (15 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

Hand washing dishes can use more energy and hot water than running a full dishwasher. To save water, I will scrape instead of rinsing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher, and only run it when it is full.

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.

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

I will keep 10 disposable cup(s) and/or bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle, cup, or mug.

I will share one idea for making my organization more sustainable on our team's feed.

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.

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

I commit to dedicating 15 minutes to exploring my organization's quality improvement resources and examining how quality improvement methodologies can support sustainability projects.

I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.

I will recycle 1 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.

I will plant 115 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard. Check out resources for which tree species are best to plant in your area.

I will volunteer 1 hour(s) in my community during the challenge.

I will help others in need and prevent useful items from going to landfill by donating 50 items.

I will recognize 1 colleague(s) for their sustainability efforts on our team feed, in-person, by email, and/or through my organization's recognition platforms.

I will work from home 2 day(s) to avoid my commute's carbon output.

I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.

I will replace 5 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

I will repair an item, such as clothing or an appliance, for myself, a friend, family member, or neighbor.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about how indoor air quality impacts health and commit to taking one action to improve indoor air quality in my living space.

I will donate blood in my community to make sure there are adequate supplies for routine medical services and emergencies.

I will promote a positive environment and uplift others by performing 1 random act(s) of kindness.