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Douglas Levin's avatar

Douglas Levin

Washington College

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 452 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    42
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    10
    lightbulbs
    replaced
  • UP TO
    210
    minutes
    of additional sleep
  • UP TO
    210
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    65
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    42
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    42
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    7.0
    pounds
    waste composted

Douglas's actions

Water

Eco-friendly Gardening

I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Support Local Pollinators

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 30 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard or local community garden.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Adjust the Thermostat

I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 10 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Reduce refined sugar

I will keep track and reduce my consumption of refined sugars, including sweetened beverages, candy, and processed foods.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Healthy Sleep

Effectively working for sustainability requires self care! I will commit to getting 30 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Know My health

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Go get a check up

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 30 minute(s) each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Recycle Everything I Can

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will research and recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community, making sure to not contaminate recyclables with non-recyclables.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Compost Food Waste

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.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Skip the Straw

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 6 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

I will avoid sending 6 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 6 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 0
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?


  • Douglas Levin's avatar
    Douglas Levin 4/26/2020 7:49 PM
    I removed two crab pots that were deployed off of a neighbors dock and released 12 trapped yellow perch and 3 sunfish. 

  • Douglas Levin's avatar
    Douglas Levin 4/26/2020 7:47 PM
    Instead of buying new garden tools I restored the handles on my rakes, shovel, weeder, and pick axe.

  • Douglas Levin's avatar
    Douglas Levin 4/26/2020 6:35 PM
    A sign installed on my street reads "$100 cash reward for information leading to the prosecution of persons littering on these premises" beautifully constructed by Frances Ewing, the developer of my neighborhood back in 1980.  Since 2005 I have repainted and restored this sign 4 times.  Several months ago it was knocked down.  I picked up the pieces (20lbs), brought it home, rebuilt it, repainted it and reinstalled it.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health Exercise Daily
    How can you incorporate other personal values (like quality time with friends or spending time in nature) into your exercise routine?

    Douglas Levin's avatar
    Douglas Levin 4/24/2020 2:19 PM
    I'm fortunate enough to live in a place where I can get out on the water in my kayak a few times a week.  In addition to the exercise, I'm able to see ospreys, eagles, ducks, geese, turtles and other natural phenomena that lower my blood pressure and keep me happy. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy Choose LED Bulbs
    Changing lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! In what other ways can you exercise your civic duty to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions?

    Douglas Levin's avatar
    Douglas Levin 4/24/2020 2:18 PM
    In addition to changing light bulbs, I've made sure that my windows and doors shut tightly.  I turned my water heater down 10 degrees and its still plenty hot enough. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy Adjust the Thermostat
    Your utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your ZIP code, region, and/or state. What other steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?

    Douglas Levin's avatar
    Douglas Levin 4/24/2020 2:14 PM
    I look at the monthly use graph each month and compare how I did for the previous year.  Its a great challenge to see the reduction in electricity use each month and each year. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Skip the Straw
    How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle?

    Douglas Levin's avatar
    Douglas Levin 4/24/2020 2:13 PM
    Reduce...always looking for ways to use less... reuse... always looking for ways to reuse or repurpose different pieces of furniture around the house to freshen the look, refuse to purchase new, if it can be repurposed... and repair everything you can instead of replacing.  Buy things that you will keep forever. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Use a Reusable Water Bottle
    While water bottles are needed for health and safety in certain places, we can do more to reduce the unnecessary use of them. What are the barriers to you using reusable bottles and tap water instead of bottled water? How could you make this a permanent habit?

    Douglas Levin's avatar
    Douglas Levin 4/24/2020 2:09 PM
    There are no barriers to using reusable water bottles.  I have 4 one liter bottles I use with my sodastream. In a restaurant... do not frequent institutions that use plastic cups and you do not need to put a plastic lid on your drink cup... put a little less in and walk away without spilling. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health Reduce refined sugar
    Before you started this challenge, did you think you were 'addicted' to sugar? How do you feel now?

    Douglas Levin's avatar
    Douglas Levin 4/24/2020 2:04 PM
    I'm totally addicted to sweets, but after being diagnosed as a type II diabetic I had to cut out my sugar.  No regular sodas and no diet sodas.  I use a sodastream with my own tap water and I add real fruit juices for flavor. My diabetes is under control with meds and with diet and some exercise. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health Healthy Sleep
    Consider how many hours of sleep you get now. How would you like to shift your sleep patterns? What are you finding works for you to be successful in this action?

    Douglas Levin's avatar
    Douglas Levin 4/24/2020 2:02 PM
    I strive for 7 hours per night.  My normal plan is asleep by 10, up by 5.  But I do not deny myself a nap after 5 if I happen to fall asleep while reading. I rarely need to use an alarm clock so my sleep patterns work for me.