Day 1: What's going on with our planet anyway?

"Watch this
To kick off 7 Days to Less Waste, this video will explain the three parts of sustainability and why the big picture matters.

What is your impact?
Calculate your ecological footprint here.

To discuss
Share your notes and questions in the the Sustainability Series Group.

Think about it
Do the results surprise you? What activity contributes the most to your footprint? Can our earth sustain your habits?"
2 Zero Waste... as in none?

Day 2: Why less waste?

Sustainability seems like a problem too big for us to control. Think about it this way: what if we all made small adjustments to our daily lives, like reducing our waste? That would add up! Watch this video to learn about the honest difficulties about being competely zero waste and how we can still make a change despite these challenges.

Track Your Trash Challenge
Track your waste production by designating one trash bag for all of your waste today (or tomorrow!) Everything that you would normally toss in the trash bin, put it in this bag instead.

To discuss
Share your notes and questions in the the Sustainability Series Group.

What about you?
What are your top 3 challenges in your day-to-day when considering reducing your waste? Write them down today, and we'll start learning how to overcome them.
"

Day 3: Changes > Perfection

"Watch this
The earth doesn't need perfect. It needs change. This 6 minute video walks through simple and affordable kitchen swaps that reduce waste!

Follow on Instagram
Follow these zero-waste influencers to incorporate zero-waste tips and tricks into your feed and into your actions @wastefreemarie, @monicarosquillas, @lesswastelaura, @tiffanyalex_

To discuss
Share your notes and questions in the the Sustainability Series Group.

Think about it!
With these ideas in mind, what is one action you can take today to reduce waste? Can be big or small, but write it down to make sure you remember why you're committing to it. "
4 Food Waste to Good Waste "What we leave behind, where does it go?
This video talks about what happens with food waste specifically, and how it impacts climate change.

Day 4: Participate today

How can you reduce your own food waste? Sharewaste is a resource that connects you to a local composting in your area (or you can start your own compost hotspot!) and divert food waste from landfills.

To discuss
Share your notes and questions in the the Sustainability Series Group.

Reflect and Share
Have you ever composted before? Share this journey with a friend/your roomates/family members and challenge them to compost with you.
"

Day 5: Protecting Eachother

"Who and what is this for?
When considering a more sustainable planet, we need to think about the people that it impacts. Watch this short 3 minute video explaining environmental justice and how the negatives of climate change disproportionately affect people's lives as well as their ability to make sustainable choices.

To discuss
Share your notes and questions in the the Sustainability Series Group.

Engage in a conversation.
Text a friend and have an honest conversation about your daily habits and how they connect to the lives of others on this planet. (Maybe even send them one of the resources from this week!) How did the conversation go? What did you or your friend learn? Do you think you could hold each other accountable? "

Day 6: Protecting Eachother

Where does our plastic end up when it is not recycled? Watch this 4-minute Ted-Ed video and learn about the journey of plastic waste.

What can you do today?
We've heard about reducing our use of plastic straws, but what else can we do? Our bathrooms are the source of lots of disposable plastics. Read this article and choose two of the suggestions to make changes in your bathroom plastic consumption today.

To discuss
Share your notes and questions in the the Sustainability Series Group.

Think about it
Making small changes for a larger cause can feel frustrating when you don't see the immediate impacts of your efforts. Write down one change that you are most proud of so far. Keep it up!"

Day 7: Make a commitment

Your effort matters.
Today, read this article.
Yes, every action you take makes a difference!

To discuss
Share your notes and questions in the the Sustainability Series Group.

Set 3 Goals
This week is up, but the work towards a more sustainable earth is not over. Commit to 3 things that you will do (or not do!) to reduce waste going forward and write them down below. Better yet, write them somewhere you'll see them every morning (phone reminder, on the fridge, bathroom mirror, or wherever you need to see it most!)"