Creative Discovery Museum

1. Participate in a ride share, use public transportation or walk/bike to work.  Keep track of how many miles are saved. [3]

These options not only help with traffic congestion and parking demands but also reduce greenhouse gases. Transportation is the largest source of carbon emissions in the United States. If you can, please consider these options.

 2. Wear upcycled or articles of clothing purchased at a thrift shop (when wearing to work, clothing must be within CDM dress code/guidelines). [1]

Thrift shopping is good for the environment because it keeps clothes out of landfills plus reduces carbon and chemical pollution caused by clothing production. 85% of unwanted clothing ends up in landfills.   21 billion pounds of textile waste goes to a landfill each year with the average citizen disposing of 70 lbs. per year. Thrift shop purchases can also be budget friendly.

 3. Plastic Bag Free Shopping.  Place reusable bags in your vehicle so you don’t forget when you are out and about. [1]

The reduction of single use plastic bags will help to cut down the amount of litter on land and in the ocean. Plastic bags are not biodegradable and impact the microplastics in soil, sediment and freshwater which results in a negative effect on ecosystems.  Reusable bags make good sense.

 4. Participate in a designated outdoor walk. See garbage along the way? Put it in the correct receptacle for additional points.  [1 point]

Protecting nature is just as important as connecting with nature.

 5. If you see garbage along your walk put it in the correct receptacle. [3 points]

Take a walk to reconnect! Make your walk a zero-waste activity and if you feel comfortable, place any garbage you see along the way in the correct receptacle.

 6. Sign a pledge to start a new lifestyle change to be greener in 2023. List two changes you plan to incorporate in your daily routine. [1]

Committing to a pledged activity is making a promise to do an action. The habits you have already personally participate in may be the motivation for someone else.  Share your ideas!

 7. Make a donation of your gently used goods or clothing to the thrift store of your choice. You can also bring clothing items to the CDM drop off location on Thursday, 3/30 and 4/6 for a group donation.  [3]

Donating items is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint. The creation of new home goods and electronics takes many natural resources. Your donation can help eliminate the demand for new items to be produced. Donating is also a major mood-booster – remember the old saying, “it’s better to give than receive”? It’s true!

 8. “I’m Rooting for You!” The Green Team will sponsor a short after-hours activity to teach interested staff how to propagate easy to grow, low light plants to keep at the museum/401 office. [5]

Plants convert carbon dioxide into fresh oxygen and as a result can help to lower carbon emissions. Some plants also absorb up to 87% of toxins from the air, such as carbon monoxide. Learning to propagate will extend the life of the plant variety at the end of the original plant’s life.

 9. The Green Team will sponsor a vegetarian potluck meal at the 401 office and at the museum on Monday, 3/27. Participate and earn points! [5]

Choosing a vegetarian lifestyle for one year could save the same amount of emissions as a taking a small car off the road for 6 months!  Consider how tasty a vegetarian lifestyle can be when you participate in a meat free meal.

 10. Make your lunch zero-waste.  Ditch the individual plastic bags and bring your lunch to work in reusable containers. [1]

The main idea of zero waste is to ensure plastics won’t contribute to pollution. Less food packaging can also be budget friendly. And don’t forget to compost. The issue of food waste stems from greenhouse gases as a result from preparation as well as decomposition. Put your food scraps to good use.

 11. Listen to a Podcast on a Green topic. [1]

Allow yourself to explore environmental issues we are all facing, engage in problem-solving and take action to improve the environment. We all know knowledge is powerful and necessary to help us make responsible decisions. 

BONUS: Drop off a donation of needed items for Make-It-Space.