SEE OUR COLLECTIVE IMPACT ADD UP
TAKE ACTION
CHOOSE A CHALLENGE AND CHANGE THE WORLD
THE CHALLENGES
The One Tree, One Planet challenge is an opportunity to understand your impact on the planet and change your life for good.
Of course we know that individual action alone can not do everything, but it is a way of understanding our impact, feeling responsible and starting to make changes for the good. As these changes are implemented by a large number of people, they also send a clear and strong signal to governments and businesses which will adapt to these efforts and will accelerate change, reducing the impact we have globally on the environment.
Keep in mind this African Proverb: “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito.”
You set a goal that stretches your comfort zone and makes a difference for you, your community and the planet. One Tree, One Planet Challengers take challenges to reduce their impact on the environment, share their progress and earn points for taking action.
AVOID BOTTLED WATER
Join the « Avoid bottled water challenge » and be part of the solution
Our oceans are filled with plastic bottles and items that were used short term. In the US, 50 billion plastic water bottles are used each year, less than ¼ are recycled. Thinking twice about buying short-term items in plastic is one of the most impactful green choices you can make.
Bottled water is not typically safer than tap water. In fact, more than half of all bottled water comes from the tap, and in the US, there is less regulation of bottled water than tap. Bottled water is thousands of times more expensive than tap water. So get a reusable water bottle that you like and fill it from the tap for your daily hydration.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS CHALLENGE
1. Avoid water in plastic bottles.
Bring your own in a reusable water bottle
Look for glass or stainless steel; avoid aluminum or plastic (choose BPA-free if you’re going plastic).
And take it with you every time you leave the house. It might take some practice, but soon it’ll be as automatic as grabbing your wallet and phone.
There are many websites and options according to your needs.
2. Get educated on your local tap water.
Call the company on your water bill and ask for an overview on the water quality in your town. You’re in luck – all tap water suppliers have to provide annual water quality reports to customers, so you might check their website too.
If you don’t want to drink tap water, you can use different filters.
3. Choose products that have less packaging, and safer packaging (glass over plastic).
– Avoid single-use disposable tableware.
– Use your traditional knife and fork.
– Bring your own bag (BYOB) to reduce the use of plastic bags.
– Bring your own mug or glass
– Avoid disposable plastic containers and cutlery
– Avoid using individually packaged disposable items.
– Please say NO to the disposable plastic straw.