Whitney O'Rourke

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

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.

I will avoid sending food waste to the landfill by composting my food scraps.

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 commit to dedicating 5 minutes to exploring my organization's quality improvement resources and examining how quality improvement methodologies can support sustainability projects.

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

I will engage in nature-based activities alone, or with my friends or family, for 30 minute(s) each day. (This can be anything from going on a walk or hike, to noticing the leaves changing color, to reading a book with nature themes.)

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 3 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 keep 2 forks, spoons, and/or knives from entering the landfill by using reusable utensils when eating at work.

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.

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 create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors, or purchase items second-hand to reduce resource use.

I will help others in need and prevent useful items from going to landfill by donating 20 items.

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

I will Practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.

Check out Espresa's Platform-- did you know you can get reimbursed for at home composting? Composting reduces GHG emissions by as much as 70% vs landfilling organic waste.

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.