no impact week

an effort to significantly minimize my ecological footprint. October 18th - October 25th.




minimized resource use in this presentation:

I chose to present this project via an online blog so that it would not require the use of any paper; as well as adhesives, inks and other non-reusable materials. By presenting this on the internet, I have only used one resource: electricity. Electricity has been used to power my computer, which I have made sure is on the highest power-saving setting. 

easy ways to minimize your ecological footprint:

  1. use less paper by printing less or printing more efficiently (double-sided) and by re-using junk mail and receipts. 
  2. reduce the amount of plastic you waste by using Tupperwear and reusable drinking cups. 
  3. use less energy by unplugging small appliances, turning off the lights, using more energy efficient light bulbs and turning down the A/C. 
  4. use less water by taking shorter, chiller showers. (hot showers waste water in taking time to heat up, and are less beneficial to your skin than cool showers).
  5. carpool with another person, ride a bike, or take a walk!
  6. moderate your accelerations, driving at a steady speed and making sure not to idle in your car. 
  7. buy local produce and food. 
  8. re-gift, create, or buy items second hand. 

minimized resource use (throughout the project):

  • I used 0 plastic non-reusable water bottles this week. 
  • cut down on plastic waste by an increased use of Tupperware. 
  • cut down on “ghost electricity” by constantly unplugging small appliances that aren’t in use. 
  • conserved paper by printing double-sided and in smaller fonts. and by using junk mail and scrap pieces of paper instead of post-it notes. 
  • spent no money on halloween decorations by making my own! 
  • helped out the rainforest and the local economy in Paraguay, Argentina by drinking Fair Trade tea! 
  • rode a bike instead of a car on several occasions! 

suggestion numero 11 “Travel with reusable cutlery, a handkerchief, and a resealable bag or Mason jar.” After we had baked the pumpkin seeds, Anna took some home in a Mason jar instead of a non-reusable plastic bag. 

suggestion numero 11

“Travel with reusable cutlery, a handkerchief, and a resealable bag or Mason jar.”

After we had baked the pumpkin seeds, Anna took some home in a Mason jar instead of a non-reusable plastic bag. 

Suggestion numero 10 “Forget Post-its. Use scrap paper, junk mail, and dry-erase boards to take notes.” Who knew that junk mail could every be useful?! I used these trash items to write notes and make lists. 

Suggestion numero 10

“Forget Post-its. Use scrap paper, junk mail, and dry-erase boards to take notes.”

Who knew that junk mail could every be useful?! I used these trash items to write notes and make lists. 

suggestion numero 9 “If you can’t give up coffee this week, switch to Fair Trade.” I drank this tea throughout the week. It’s Fair Trade certified and is grown sustainably in Paragauy, Argentina. Not only does it serve to sustain rainforest and fuel the local economies of Argentina, it’s delicious and energizing!

suggestion numero 9

“If you can’t give up coffee this week, switch to Fair Trade.”

I drank this tea throughout the week. It’s Fair Trade certified and is grown sustainably in Paragauy, Argentina. Not only does it serve to sustain rainforest and fuel the local economies of Argentina, it’s delicious and energizing!

suggestion numero 8 “try going vegetarian for your No Impact Week, or just having meat in just one of your meals. You can even just try it for a day!”  I definitely never ate this pack of Lean Gourmet Beef. eww. In fact, I didn’t eat beef for two whole days; Wednesday and Thursday! 

suggestion numero 8

“try going vegetarian for your No Impact Week, or just having meat in just one of your meals. You can even just try it for a day!” 

I definitely never ate this pack of Lean Gourmet Beef. eww. In fact, I didn’t eat beef for two whole days; Wednesday and Thursday! 

suggestion numero 7 “GO! Bike. Walk. Scoot. Glide. Hop on the bus. Carpool.”  Anna and I riding our bikes instead of driving!! We also carpool every sunday to church because we live very close to each other! 

suggestion numero 7

“GO! Bike. Walk. Scoot. Glide. Hop on the bus. Carpool.” 

Anna and I riding our bikes instead of driving!! We also carpool every sunday to church because we live very close to each other! 

suggestion numero 6 Turn off the A/C and leave your house to cool off. Go outside and enjoy an evening in a park or public swimming pool. Visit a public space!  We did this entire activity outside! making sure to turn off air conditioning/heating and all lights before leaving. why not harness the coolness and natural light provided by the great outdoors?! 

suggestion numero 6

Turn off the A/C and leave your house to cool off. Go outside and enjoy an evening in a park or public swimming pool. Visit a public space! 

We did this entire activity outside! making sure to turn off air conditioning/heating and all lights before leaving. why not harness the coolness and natural light provided by the great outdoors?! 

not only did we make a jack-o-lantern, we were able to: use the insides for baking!   bake/eat the seeds!  

not only did we make a jack-o-lantern, we were able to:

use the insides for baking!  

bake/eat the seeds!