Alexis Mendez

I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero-waste each day.

I will source 2 meal(s) each day from local producers.

I will install an alternative energy system, such as solar electric systems or solar water heaters.

I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.

I will replace inefficient heating and cooling units with energy saving units.

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 sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.

I will replace 15 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

I will sign up for a car-sharing service, or organize car sharing with my neighbors, to cut down on the number of vehicles on the road.

I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or some other small improvement.

I will begin, or continue, on the journey of forgiving myself and/or other(s). I may do this through journaling, meditation, prayer, and/or talking with a licensed healthcare professional.

I will spend 30 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.

I will get my Core Four Biometrics tests (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI).

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

Both systemic and personal sustainability are important! I will develop a plan with my medical professionals to achieve my best health and live my life to the fullest.

I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.

I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.

Access to affordable, nutritious food is a food justice issue. I will advocate for local and/or organic food options at work, on campus and/or in the spaces I frequent.

I will visit my nearest farm to find out who produces my food, and will learn about the quality of life of those around the world who produce my food in order to make better choices when I shop.

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

I will start a recycling program at my workplace or school. If a recycling program exists, I will advocate for ways to improve and expand it.

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 3.4lbs (1.5kg) a month or 41lbs (18.6kg) a year by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 30 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill each day by composting my food or learning how to.

I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus to reduce pollution in the environment and in local communities.