Dawn Maccarthy

over a year ago, I volunteered to join the Kingston SWARC to help educate our town, reduce solid waste and increase recycling. Not only am I an active member of the committee that meets monthly, but I also volunteer at our collection center where we collect cardboard, glass and metal for recycling

I purchased a hybrid last year that gets 60mpg as it auto flips between electric battery and gas

I will reflect on how I am feeling and express myself through writing, art, music, physical activity, or another creative way to enhance well-being

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

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 spend at least 10 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

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 improve hydration by drinking an additional 8oz of water each day. I will do this by drinking additional servings of water or by drinking water in place of other less healthy beverage options.

I will adopt a diet free of refined sugars, which eliminates sweetened beverages, candy, and processed foods.

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

I switched to a washable roll of reusable cloths and drastically reduce the number of paper towels. and the ones I do use, I compost!

Signed up for Geary Farms service, they pick up my compost material (food scraps and paper towels etc) every 2 weeks. Reducing trash and reusing food scraps for a great purpose

I switched to using Vinegar to clean floors, windows, mirrors etc. I also use Baking soda to help in laundry. I switched to Clean People laundry sheets to eliminate plastic laundry detergent.

I use One Earth Boday Care: shampoo and conditioner --both are bars delivered in cardboard boxes so no plastic ! I also shop locally at an earth friendly store nearby and buy all natural deodorants, facial cleaners etc

I have a DIY beauty book and make my own facial products such as masks, cleaners, etc.