

Karmen Howard
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 146 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO28gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO0.7poundswaste composted
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UP TO2.0random acts of kindnesscompleted
Karmen's actions
At Home
Learn the Truth about Expiration Dates
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
One Healthcare
Random Act of Kindness
I will promote a positive environment and uplift others by performing 1 random act(s) of kindness.
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.
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
Compost Food Waste
I will avoid sending food waste to the landfill by composting my food scraps.
At Home
Needs Vs. Wants
I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.
At Home
Shorter Showers
I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.
At Work
Turn It Off
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).
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 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.
At Home
Practice the 5 r's
I will Practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.
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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Karmen Howard 4/10/2025 11:34 AMI like this challenge. It makes me think about sustainability even more.-
Arielle Hoisington 4/10/2025 11:35 AM- DIY Enthusiast 🔨
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REFLECTION QUESTIONOne HealthcareHow did performing random acts of kindness make you feel? Were you surprised by any of the responses you received from recipients?
Karmen Howard 4/03/2025 11:05 AMIt felt good to recognize one of my coworkers on how much she is valued and appreciated. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAt HomeHow is creativity a necessary ingredient for practicing simplicity?
Karmen Howard 4/03/2025 11:02 AMWhen I use my creativity, I find myself repurposing things that I already have in my home or the office. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAt HomeNew to composting? Be sure to check out the action resource links to learn tips and more about it. As you transition from throwing food away to composting, what do you notice about how much you are tossing? How will you use your compost once it is ready?
Karmen Howard 4/03/2025 11:00 AMI am new to composting. I have just been saving my vegetable and food scraps in the freezer. I plan to use it for my garden. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONAt HomeDo you live in an area that is water secure or with water scarcity? What other actions do you take to use water more efficiently?
Karmen Howard 4/03/2025 10:55 AMI live in an area that is water secure. I also reuse the water that leaks out of my hot water heater for my plants instead of just flushing it in the toiled or pouring it down the sink.