Cori Dougher (SW)

I will only use disinfectants where recommended and required by my organization's Infection Prevention and Control department.

I will keep 2 forks, spoons, and/or knives from entering the landfill by using reusable utensils when eating at work.

I will keep 2 disposable cup(s) and/or bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle, cup, or mug.

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or vegan meal(s) each day this week.

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

I will recycle 2 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.

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.

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

I will volunteer 2 hour(s) in my community during the challenge.

How can you personally help address climate change? Complete the climate action venn diagram at ayanaelizabeth.com/climatevenn and share your climate action in the feed.

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

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 prevent water from being wasted by reporting one or more leaky faucets, toilets, or other water leaks to my organization's facilities team for repair.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about what medical device reprocessing is and how it works, including whether my organization has a program, and if so, which items it collects.

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about some of the ways my organization makes its operating rooms more sustainable and ways we can improve.

Your voice matters! Help us improve the One Healthcare Ecochallenge by taking our survey, available starting April 23rd.

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 take one action to support local wildlife, such as adding a food or water source, creating shelter/habitat, preventing light pollution, eliminating bird strikes, or another action.

I will purchase produce and/or meat from a local farmers market or food co-op to make 1 locally-sourced meals.

I will spend 15 minute(s) learning about constructive communication.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about greenwashing and how to avoid it.

I will select a greener option when purchasing supplies, such as products that have environmental certifications, less packaging, or other environmental attributes, or come from local vendors.

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

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

I will help others in need and prevent useful items from going to landfill by donating 5 items.

I pledge to take one action that improves the sustainability of my organization in 2025. It can be an action from this challenge or another action that improves resource stewardship.

I will promote equity and support my community by purchasing items at 1 diverse- and/or locally-owned businesses.

No one person can do everything, but we can all do something. Making one person's worth of difference matters! Share an impact you made related to an Ecochallenge action that you are proud of in the feed.

I will make 1 appointments to support my health and well-being (primary care provider, dental, vision, etc.)

I will spend 15 minutes learning about some of the ways my organization makes its laboratories more sustainable and ways we can improve.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about the environmental footprint of the healthcare industry, how it impacts health, and ways I can help reduce it.

I will make 15 new healthcare connections at my workplace or beyond to learn from my peers, share best practices, and see if there are opportunities for collaboration.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 15 minutes learning about which items are recyclable both at my workplace and at home since they may be different, and recycle only those items.

I will work from home 1 day(s) to avoid my commute's carbon output.

I will schedule coffee breaks, lunches, and/or check-in meetings with 1 coworkers to promote connectivity in my workplace.

I will replace 1 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

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 plant 1 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 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 turn my computer monitor(s) off at my work station when not in use to save energy (I will follow my organization's IT instructions for keeping on, turning off, or restarting computers).

I will read the Ecochallenge feed each day and comment on posts by people who I don't know, but whose content inspires or interests me.