Ecochallenge.org

Campus Ecochallenge 2023

April 3 - April 21, 2023

Matt Demko

Carlisle Construction Materials

"Reduce personal impact on the environment by reducing use of resources and re-using resources where possible."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,129 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

25

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

2,490

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

49

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

1.0

waste audit

conducted
UP TO

2,145

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

108

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

15

pounds of paper

have been saved

Matt's actions

Waste

Choose Two-Sided Printing

I will save up to .21 lbs (.09 kg) of paper per day by switching from one-sided printing to two-sided when I have to print documents.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 3 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Personal Waste Audit

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Reduce refined sugar

I will keep track and reduce my consumption of refined sugars, including sweetened beverages, candy, and processed foods.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Stay on the Ground

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (i.e. telepresence, vacation locally).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Use an Energy Meter

I will use an energy meter to monitor my energy use and identify opportunities to save power.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset

I will enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset each day.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Disconnect from Email

I will disconnect from my email when not at work or school, using my personal time for endeavors that help me live out my values.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Support Local Pollinators

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 45 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard or local community garden.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 60 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

De-Clutter My Home or Dorm Room

I will de-clutter, clean, and donate or recycle unneeded items in my home or dorm room.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

Matt Demko 4/21/2023 7:41 PM

One last sunset for the challenge but just starting 7 more months of them.

Read More
Matt Demko 4/21/2023 7:34 PM

Another way to use nature for decorating.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Stay on the Ground

What was your process like for restructuring your trip? How can you avoid more air travel in the future?

Matt Demko 4/21/2023 10:24 AM

Timing. Sometimes it is a toss up between being stuck in traffic and waiting for a plane to arrive. So taking a long route around delays areas can be beneficial. Schedule work online, if possible, instead of traveling to meet or do something.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Support Local Pollinators

Why is it important to take care of pollinators?

Matt Demko 4/21/2023 10:21 AM

Pollinators help keep our food supply going.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Choose Two-Sided Printing

Choosing two-sided printing can be an easy adjustment on your computer settings. How can you help others make this same switch? Can it be encouraged company wide?

Matt Demko 4/21/2023 10:20 AM

Sure but defaults have a habit of changing back.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use a Reusable Mug

Maybe you've heard how good it is to switch from a single use coffee cup to a reusable one, but it's just hard to make the switch. What stands in your way of making this a habit? By identifying the challenges, you can begin to work through them to have better success in taking this action. Knowing the difference you are making, how does it make you feel?

Matt Demko 4/21/2023 10:07 AM

Washing a reusable cup at work is not something feasible for all and bringing it home to wash just means forgetting it there also. But reducing supply chain needs and cutting down more trees and still be able to drink coffee sounds good.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Disconnect from Email

Notice how much time you were spending checking email away from work and make note of that. Now that you have stepped away from it and have not been checking, what changes are you noticing in your thoughts, use of time, stress and energy levels?

Matt Demko 4/21/2023 10:03 AM

I spent more time outside but also more time watching tv since my computer is purposely in another room. I guess just a half of a win.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity De-Clutter My Home or Dorm Room

How can you prevent yourself from accumulating more unnecessary things in the future?

Matt Demko 4/21/2023 10:02 AM

Reflect on whether you really need something or just want it. Do you just want it now, will you want it tomorrow?

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- Jeni Steigleman 4/21/2023 11:26 AM
  
  Actually "needing" instead of "wanting" really does make a difference on unnecessary clutter. Will Power! :-)
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Spend Time Outside

Rachel Carson said that we need the beauty and mysteries of the natural world for our spiritual and emotional development. Does that ring true for you? What are the implications for a culture that spends most of its time indoors?

Matt Demko 4/21/2023 10:00 AM

The are listening to the nonsense on the news, radio, Twitter, Youtube, and Financial companies telling them what to think and how to live. They are not at peace and are not using their imagination or natural desire of discovery.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset

Father Thomas Berry says, "... our primary purpose is celebration. Celebration of the dawn and the sunset and the different seasons of the year is a religious ritual, a way in which humans can establish their integral relationship with the universe, with the planet Earth." What is your response to Berry's assertion?

Matt Demko 4/21/2023 9:55 AM

I think people have forgotten to celebrate the nature around us. Covid has helped make people take a longer look around though.

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