julie sommer

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 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 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.

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 avoid printing 6 pieces of paper by "going digital" and printing double-sided whenever possible.

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.

I will work from home 3 day(s) to avoid my commute's carbon output.

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

I will enjoy 6 meatless meal(s) and/or vegan meal(s) each day this week.

I will spend at least 3 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

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 10 minutes learning about some of the ways my organization makes its laboratories more sustainable and ways we can improve.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 1 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 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 promote a positive environment and uplift others by performing 1 random act(s) of kindness.

I will keep 10 disposable cup(s) and/or bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle, cup, or mug.

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

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 volunteer 4 hour(s) in my community during the challenge.

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 learn one new fact about my community each day (history, geography, local wildlife, resources, programs, current issues, goals, etc.)

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