Take the Challenge!
So you're taking the 31 day Zero Waste Challenge. Here are the basics to get you started:
1. Get a container that you will put your trash in. Trash is anything you would normally throw in the trash can.*
2. All trash you make will go in the container.
3. Make sure you clean any items before they go in your container to avoid smells and pests.
4. Keep collecting your trash for the entire month.
5. At the end of the month, take a photo.
6. Throughout the month analyze your trash. See if there are some ways you can reduce your waste.
7. Repeat next October!
*Also make note of any food you don't eat and put in the compost. Food waste is a major issue globally.
1. Get a container that you will put your trash in. Trash is anything you would normally throw in the trash can.*
2. All trash you make will go in the container.
3. Make sure you clean any items before they go in your container to avoid smells and pests.
4. Keep collecting your trash for the entire month.
5. At the end of the month, take a photo.
6. Throughout the month analyze your trash. See if there are some ways you can reduce your waste.
7. Repeat next October!
*Also make note of any food you don't eat and put in the compost. Food waste is a major issue globally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I have to collect trash I make at school?
A: Yes. You need to get a complete picture of all the waste you create for the month.
Q: Will I get a bad grade if I create a lot of trash?
A: You are not being graded on the amount of trash you create. Your grade is based on your reflection and any additional pieces you do, such as Do-It-Yourself (DIY) products.
Q: If I create food waste, like a partially eaten apple at lunch, do I need to put that in my container at home?
A: No, but it is worthwhile noting the amount of food that you waste. 31-40% of food that makes it to the store is never eaten.
Q: What if I go between homes? How will I do the challenge?
A: Have a container at each home and then at the end of the month combine the two for your final photo.
Q: Where do with the forks from hot lunch go?
A: Put them in your backpack and take them home and put them in your container. Better yet, start carrying your own reusable utensils to school for lunch.
Q: Do my parents have to participate?
A: No, but it’s a great activity for the whole family to get involved in.
Q: If I want to get a B, it says I need to do 1 to 2 Do-It-Yourself (DIY) products. What type of DIY products can I make?
A: There are a bunch of ideas on the Zero Waste 31 Day Student Challenge page below. The idea is you are making DIY products to replace items packed in plastic. Some examples are toothpaste, home cleaning products, beauty products (shampoo, lip balm), and reusable snack bags. The focus is NOT on making items from plastic bottles, etc.
Q: Can I do the DIY products with a friend?
A: Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it. If two people make homemade shampoo, the recipe may be great for one person and leave the other person’s hair too greasy or dry. It’s a great idea to make small batches of product until you get a formula that suits your preferences. The person does not need to be in your class.
Q: Do I need to bring in my DIY product(s) to school?
A: No. Take a photo and upload it to Google Classroom. Including recipes and comments about the recipes are helpful.
Q: What if my housekeeper or parent throws out my bag?
A: First off, prevent that from happening. Label it clearly and talk directly to them at the beginning of the challenge so that they know the bag is not to be thrown out by them.
Q: If I did the challenge last year, can I do the same DIY products?
A: Only if you use a different recipe. It’s a good idea to try a few recipes to see ones that you prefer. So if you made lip balm last year, it’s okay to make it again, but use a different recipe.
Q: If my parents cook and there is trash involved, what do I do?
A: You need to take a percentage of that trash and put it in your bag. For example, if you had pasta and it came in a bag and there are 4 people in your family, cut a fourth of the bag and put it in your container. Better yet, make some DIY bulk bin bags and buy pasta in bulk at your grocery store.
A: Yes. You need to get a complete picture of all the waste you create for the month.
Q: Will I get a bad grade if I create a lot of trash?
A: You are not being graded on the amount of trash you create. Your grade is based on your reflection and any additional pieces you do, such as Do-It-Yourself (DIY) products.
Q: If I create food waste, like a partially eaten apple at lunch, do I need to put that in my container at home?
A: No, but it is worthwhile noting the amount of food that you waste. 31-40% of food that makes it to the store is never eaten.
Q: What if I go between homes? How will I do the challenge?
A: Have a container at each home and then at the end of the month combine the two for your final photo.
Q: Where do with the forks from hot lunch go?
A: Put them in your backpack and take them home and put them in your container. Better yet, start carrying your own reusable utensils to school for lunch.
Q: Do my parents have to participate?
A: No, but it’s a great activity for the whole family to get involved in.
Q: If I want to get a B, it says I need to do 1 to 2 Do-It-Yourself (DIY) products. What type of DIY products can I make?
A: There are a bunch of ideas on the Zero Waste 31 Day Student Challenge page below. The idea is you are making DIY products to replace items packed in plastic. Some examples are toothpaste, home cleaning products, beauty products (shampoo, lip balm), and reusable snack bags. The focus is NOT on making items from plastic bottles, etc.
Q: Can I do the DIY products with a friend?
A: Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it. If two people make homemade shampoo, the recipe may be great for one person and leave the other person’s hair too greasy or dry. It’s a great idea to make small batches of product until you get a formula that suits your preferences. The person does not need to be in your class.
Q: Do I need to bring in my DIY product(s) to school?
A: No. Take a photo and upload it to Google Classroom. Including recipes and comments about the recipes are helpful.
Q: What if my housekeeper or parent throws out my bag?
A: First off, prevent that from happening. Label it clearly and talk directly to them at the beginning of the challenge so that they know the bag is not to be thrown out by them.
Q: If I did the challenge last year, can I do the same DIY products?
A: Only if you use a different recipe. It’s a good idea to try a few recipes to see ones that you prefer. So if you made lip balm last year, it’s okay to make it again, but use a different recipe.
Q: If my parents cook and there is trash involved, what do I do?
A: You need to take a percentage of that trash and put it in your bag. For example, if you had pasta and it came in a bag and there are 4 people in your family, cut a fourth of the bag and put it in your container. Better yet, make some DIY bulk bin bags and buy pasta in bulk at your grocery store.
Proudly powered by Weebly