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April 1 - April 30, 2024
Amanda Grube's avatar

Amanda Grube

PeaceHealth

"Learning to preserve and reserve, energy and resources"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,075 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    15
    locally sourced meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    36
    whole food meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    3.0
    water leaks
    reported
  • UP TO
    70
    items
    recycled
  • UP TO
    138
    pieces of paper
    avoided
  • UP TO
    60
    pieces of plastic cutlery
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    131
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    17
    lightbulbs
    replaced
  • UP TO
    20
    trees
    planted
  • UP TO
    22
    hours
    volunteered
  • UP TO
    32
    individuals
    recognized for sustainability
  • UP TO
    2.0
    public officials or leaders
    contacted
  • UP TO
    100
    items
    donated
  • UP TO
    15
    local or diverse businesses
    supported
  • UP TO
    3.0
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    25
    healthcare connections
    made
  • UP TO
    1.0
    pint of blood
    donated
  • UP TO
    3.0
    well-being appointments
    made
  • UP TO
    600
    minutes spent
    learning

Amanda's actions

One Healthcare

Network for Change

I will make 15 new healthcare connections through direct outreach or by joining a green team or industry group to learn from my peers, share best practices, and see if there are opportunities for collaboration.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

One Healthcare

Medical Device Reprocessing

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the items my organization collects for medical device reprocessing and share this information with colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Work

Prevent Recycling Contamination

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 60 minutes learning about which items are recyclable both at my workplace and at home since they may be different, and recycle only those items.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

In Our Communities

Give a little

I will volunteer my time with a cleanup crew. Spring cleaning is upon us, giving my time to a crew of volunteers that will clean up our community and help take care of our neighbors is a great way to meet new people and give back to my community.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Fix water leaks

Fixing the leaks I find will not only prevent damage to my home, but it will also help conserve our valuable water supply.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health & Well-being

Take myself to the doctor

I have already chosen a task that took me to the doctor, but there is more to discuss. Returning to the doctor to address a new or outstanding issue will mean that I will catch problems before they become a health hazard.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Work

Stay Connected

I will schedule coffee breaks, lunches, and/or check-in meetings with 5 coworkers to promote connectivity in my workplace.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Work

Walk to work

Walking to and from work is a great way to get your exercise and save our community from unnecessary pollution.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Needs Vs. Wants

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

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Whole Foods Diet

I will enjoy 2 meal(s) each day free of processed foods.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Choose Clean/Renewable Energy

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

One Healthcare

Donate Blood

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

One Healthcare

Sustainable Healthcare

I will attend or watch a recording of a webinar 30 minutes long covering one or more healthcare sustainability issues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

In Our Communities

Support Diverse and Locally-Owned Businesses

I will promote equity and support my community by purchasing items at 15 diverse- and/or locally-owned businesses.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Work

Go Paperless

I will avoid printing 4 pieces of paper by "going digital" and printing double-sided whenever possible.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

In Our Communities

Buy From a Farmers Market

I will purchase produce and/or meat from a local farmers market or food co-op to make 10 locally-sourced meals.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health & Well-being

Learn About Constructive Communication

I will spend 60 minute(s) learning about constructive communication.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

One Healthcare

Climate Change Impacts on Health

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the ways climate change impacts health.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health & Well-being

Go Get a Check Up

I will make 4 appointments to support my health and well-being (primary care provider, dental, vision, etc.)

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

One Healthcare

Green Gratitude

I will recognize 5 colleague(s) for their sustainability efforts by thanking them on our team feed, in-person, by email, and/or through my organization's recognition platforms.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

At Work

Report a Leak

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

In Our Communities

Support Pollution Reduction

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 15 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Repair an Item

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

In Our Communities

Donate Items

I will help others in need and prevent useful items from going to landfill by donating 15 items.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

One Healthcare

Environmental Footprint of Healthcare

I will spend 60 minutes learning about the environmental footprint of the healthcare industry, how it impacts health, and ways I can help reduce it.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

In Our Communities

Advocate for Green Spaces

I will call or write 2 public officials to advocate for more green spaces around my town, particularly in neighborhoods that currently lack equitable access to green spaces.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

In Our Communities

Volunteer in My Community

I will volunteer 30 hour(s) in my community during the challenge.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

In Our Communities

Plant Trees

I will plant 50 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard. Check out resources for which tree species are best to plant in your area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Work

Recycling Champion

I will recycle 5 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.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

At Work

Use Reusables at Work

I will keep 10 forks, spoons, and/or knives from entering the landfill by using reusable utensils when eating at work.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Adjust the Thermostat

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Work Prevent Recycling Contamination
    What have you learned about what is accepted by local haulers for recycling, what you can drop off or ship to certain places, and what is not recyclable in your area? What is the most difficult part of recycling for you?

    Amanda Grube's avatar
    Amanda Grube 4/27/2024 8:22 PM
    I recently learned that glass is not recycled in my area, this is heartbreaking to me because it can be used in so many ways that can benefit the environment once it has been processed. One of the things that I am having a difficult time with when recycling is finding the time to break things down, rinse things out and prepare them for the bin. Time is very limited for me working two full time jobs and raising a family, I plan to study more to find ways to make this experience more manageable for me.

    • Amanda Grube's avatar
      Amanda Grube 4/29/2024 2:05 AM
      We do have a local recycling center, at the waste collection center but they do not accept glass. I save the glass when I can, but my husband hates the clutter and throws it away while I am at work. The items I rinse out are things like plastic containers from cottage cheese, or sour cream. In Cowlitz County the recycling rule is, clean plastic is okay, so I try to stick to those rules. When I rinse them, it is generally at the same time, I do my dishes, so the water is the already used rinsing water from my completed dishes. I do my very best not to waste our natural resources. I just wish there was an easier way to recycle without all the traveling to get it done.

    • Brian Nelson (SWMC)'s avatar
      Brian Nelson (SWMC) 4/28/2024 9:57 AM
      Is there a collection point where you can drop it off yourself, Amanda? I've got few items that we can't do here in Camas, WA that I build up a stash for and make a run at some point. Also, FYI that "mostly empty" is fine for glass recycling - it doesn't need to be scrubbed as that's just see as a waste of water. :)

  • Amanda Grube's avatar
    Amanda Grube 4/25/2024 10:20 PM
    I am trying to add personalized challenges, doing things I know I need to do to benefit myself, my family and my community. I am getting joy from reporting it, learning about what others are doing and working on myself.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Work Stay Connected
    What are some of the benefits you've noticed from connecting with colleagues at work?

    Amanda Grube's avatar
    Amanda Grube 4/25/2024 10:18 PM
    I came in during my time off to get to know some people from other departments, ones I plan to eventually apply to. I found that I have a lot in common with many of these people and our goals for patient care are similar.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    One Healthcare Network for Change
    What are the benefits of connecting with new colleagues? How have you fostered meaningful connections with others?

    Amanda Grube's avatar
    Amanda Grube 4/25/2024 10:04 PM
    Connecting with new colleagues gives me the opportunity to learn new things in my field, and in the field, I want to go into. Getting to know so many new people has provided me with a greater network of people.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    In Our Communities Advocate for Green Spaces
    What services, benefits, or value does nature provide for you? Why is it important for people to have access to green space?

    Amanda Grube's avatar
    Amanda Grube 4/25/2024 9:12 PM
    The value nature provides to me is peace within. My heart belongs in the wilderness, if I could live among the trees I would. I spend a lot of time hiking, keeping to the trails and bringing out exactly what I brought in, and sometimes more. Green space is important to us all because it is space that gets to remain untouched, free from pollution, and adds value to our lives.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    One Healthcare Sustainable Healthcare
    Briefly describe the issue(s) you learned about. How did this information impact you?

    Amanda Grube's avatar
    Amanda Grube 4/17/2024 8:17 PM
    I learned about waste reduction in the healthcare industry. There are big pushes right now for manufacturing companies to work toward green production practices and begin to limit the use of plastics for packaging. One of the more advanced options being tossed around is using plant based biodegradable plastics, thus keeping items sterile when they need to be, but also allowing the packaging to be recycled rather than disposed of.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    One Healthcare Donate Blood
    Why do you donate blood?

    Amanda Grube's avatar
    Amanda Grube 4/17/2024 12:59 AM
    I used to donate plasma, because it paid money and I was broke. Now that I am not broke, I donate blood, which does not pay. I do this because there are people that would otherwise die without it, and if it was me or someone, I loved that needed that transfusion, I hold hope that there will be blood available that they need.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    In Our Communities Donate Items
    Why is it important to consider how and to whom you donate your no-longer-needed items?

    Amanda Grube's avatar
    Amanda Grube 4/17/2024 12:57 AM
    I donated much more than 100 items, and the items went multiple places. It is important to consider the consumer population and need at the location in which you are donating, and whether or not the donated items will them be sold or given away. When I donate items, I prefer that they be given to the party that needs them, rather than them having to purchase it. I donate to shelters, food banks, churches and schools.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    In Our Communities Plant Trees
    How is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?

    Amanda Grube's avatar
    Amanda Grube 4/17/2024 12:55 AM
    To start, I purchased a bunch of Red Woods to plant. Once I received my seedlings, I felt a rush of excitement knowing I was going to implant these beautiful trees back into our world, where they belong. The Red Woods were mostly wiped-out hundreds of years ago and still live and thrive in Northern California. They are native to our country, and can grow and thrive anywhere in our climate as long as seedlings are not exposed to negative temps. It is amazing how much these trees have endured to remain steadfast and strong. I feel empowered to purchase more, plant more and continue to work hard to bring the beauty of natural oxygen to our living spaces.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    One Healthcare Environmental Footprint of Healthcare
    What surprised you most about the healthcare industry's impact on climate and health? What is one action you can take to make a positive impact?

    Amanda Grube's avatar
    Amanda Grube 4/17/2024 12:48 AM
    I found that healthcare is among the highest in plastic use, much of which does not get recycled. I have requested a review into many of our products, trying to eliminate plastic wrapping as much as possible. I am interested in starting a soft plastic recycling system, maybe turning it into reusable outdoor furniture. More to come.