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Welcome to Hennepin County Zero Waste Challenge!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Hennepin County Zero Waste Challenge expert in no time!

Hennepin County
Hennepin County Zero Waste Challenge
May 1 - May 31, 2021
Mark Engelen's avatar

Mark Engelen

Community Team

"Learn more on reducing my waste"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 230 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    90
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    1.4
    pounds
    food waste prevented
  • UP TO
    1.0
    pound
    waste avoided
  • UP TO
    68
    pounds
    waste composted
  • UP TO
    6.7
    pounds
    waste recycled
  • UP TO
    19
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    3.4
    pounds of paper
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.0
    waste audit
    conducted

Mark's actions

Week 2 Focus: Packaging and Low-Waste Shopping

Use a Grocery List

I will make and use a grocery list that accounts for what I already have in my fridge and cupboards.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Week 2 Focus: Packaging and Low-Waste Shopping

Buy Unpackaged Produce

I will avoid 2 plastic bags by not bagging my produce or using reusable produce bags.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Skip the Dryer Sheets

I will replace dryer sheets with a reusable alternative or use nothing at all.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Recycle Scrap Metal

Instead of trashing it, I will recycle scrap metal by bringing it to a drop-off.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Hold the Mail

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Complete a Waste Audit

I will conduct a waste audit - including recyclables and compostables - to understand how much waste I create and where I can reduce the most.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Week 1 Focus: Recycling and Composting

Find Local Recycling Drop-Off Centers

I will find out where to take the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Week 1 Focus: Recycling and Composting

Recycle Plastic Bags

Instead of trashing them, I will recycle 10 plastic bags by bringing them to a drop-off.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Week 1 Focus: Recycling and Composting

Start Organics Recycling

My household will sign up for organics recycling service or start using a drop-off site to compost food waste and food-soiled paper.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Week 1 Focus: Recycling and Composting

No More Wish-cycling

I will recycle the right materials by educating myself on what goes in the bin and keep other things out. 

COMPLETED 3
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?

  • Mark Engelen's avatar
    Mark Engelen 4/26/2021 4:26 PM

    I reviewed a few items on "Materials to stop tossing in the big blue bins" By Eric Roper it was from 2015 and a few links were not found. Seems some data is outdated. 


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