The MeetGreen team loves a good challenge, especially if it involves working together and making the world a better place. Kathryn Kellogg from “Going Zero Waste” created a zero-waste challenge that inspired our team. During February, we began our journey to take on this challenge and learn from one another throughout the 28 days.

Zero Waste

The goal of zero waste is to send nothing to the landfill. This can be a daunting task, and you might think it’s an all-or-nothing proposition. Like anything else, you need to work towards the goal, breaking it down into smaller tasks to meet it. The zero-waste challenge provided a perfect framework, and daily challenges focused on one at a time.

Organizing the Challenge

Since this was a team activity, some coordination went into the challenge. To do this, we did the following:

  • Appointed a team leader to facilitate the challenge and keep everyone on track
  • Created a Miro board for everyone to share their tips or how their day went.
  • Used a Slack channel to share:
    • The challenge of the day links
    • Photos
    • Interactive conversations for the day

28 Days of Zero Waste

In the beginning, the challenge had manageable goals for each day. Some of the team already used these concepts in their daily lives, which helped get us started. It was wonderful to learn from each other about the daily challenge, and it prompted new ideas for each of us to share.

Here are a few of the challenges we took on and what we learned:

Buy Less

  • Avoiding social media ads. Closing the app when the first ad appears
  • Creating a grocery list and sticking to it
  • Vow to use what’s in the pantry and freezer before shopping

Say No to Straws

  • Keep a reusable straw in the car
  • Don’t use a straw
  • Refuse a straw when offered one at a restaurant
  • Reuse a single-use straw more than once

Zero Waste Coffee

  • Use a reusable coffee filter
  • Compost the coffee grounds
  • Brew coffee in a French press and compost the grounds
Zero Waste Coffee
Reusable Straw
Compost

Pack a Zero-Waste Lunch

  • Eat leftovers
  • Use a bamboo container for packing your lunch
  • Pack snacks in reusable bags

Vote with Your Dollars

  • Shopping at small, local, diverse, and or sustainable businesses
  • Farmer’s markets and local businesses

Reduce Waste in Your Beauty Routine

  • Bars of soap without packaging
  • Toothpaste tablets
  • Buy locally made products that are refillable
Reusable Snack Bags
Support Local
Reusable Snack Container

As the challenge progressed, the goals became more difficult to achieve. Here are some of the more difficult tasks in the challenge:

  • Start a local zero waste group
  • Get involved in local government
  • Zero Waste toilet paper

In the end, we each learned more and were inspired by one another. If you are looking for a way to help the environment and have some fun, definitely take the challenge!