EMME Chicago

I will keep 5 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the experiences of trans, femme, and/or nonbinary people.

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 10 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

I will spend at least 20 minute(s) touring (virtually or in person) a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about our local waste and waste recovery streams.

I will spend 10 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

Historically, marginalized and low-income communities live closer to landfills, contributing to a multitude of health problems. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate. I will keep 2 container(s) out of the landfill each day.

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.

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

I will watch 1 documentary(ies) about systemic racism.

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

We may find more meaning and joy in life when our actions are aligned with our personal values. I will determine what my top 3-5 core values are so that I can better align my actions with them.

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

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

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 make sure I’m registered to vote. While I’m at it, I’ll sign up to help others register too!

I will connect with a local nonprofit, environmental or otherwise, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.