Kristi Gifford is participating in the Campus Ecochallenge!

"My goal with the Campus EcoChallenge is to show that small, everyday choices actually matter. By making simple changes together, we can create a healthier campus and do our part to protect the environment without it feeling overwhelming."

Kristi's points

11 TODAY
11 THIS WEEK
1,823 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

17

organic meals

consumed
UP TO

245

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

1.0

energy audit

conducted
UP TO

354

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

623

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

177

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

1.0

waste audit

conducted
UP TO

25

pounds

waste avoided
UP TO

270

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

1.0

water footprint

calculated
UP TO

1,033

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

1,311

minutes

of additional sleep
UP TO

2.0

advocacy actions

completed
UP TO

18

people

helped
UP TO

2.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

93

minutes

spent learning

Kristi's actions

Health

Prioritize Getting Enough Sleep

Good sleep is essential for a healthy body and mind. I will prioritize getting 7 hours of quality sleep each night and develop a bedtime routine that supports rest and relaxation.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Try a New Way to Prepare Food

I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Audit Toxic Products In My Living Space

Many common products contain harmful chemicals. I will spend 15 minutes researching chemicals found in products I use, and I will make a list of products I'd like to replace with safer options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Understand My Water Footprint

Each of us has a water footprint, directly linked to our daily activities as well as the water required in the production of things we use each day. Understanding our water use is important for a healthy planet. I will calculate my water footprint and look for a few ways I can reduce consumption or waste, then share what I learned on the feed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Find or Join a Local Sharing Economy

I will research tool libraries and other sharing economy organizations in my area and rent or borrow instead of buy next time I need something they offer.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns

Environmental issues often impact marginalized communities the most. I will spend 10 minutes researching environmental justice concerns in my region, who is affected by them, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Support Pollution Reduction in My Area

I will spend 10 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Feedback Survey

Take the Campus Ecochallenge Feedback Survey

Tell us what you thought! Take a short survey about your experience to help us improve future events. It only takes a few minutes — and when you complete the survey, you'll earn points!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Repair a Broken Item

I will repair at least one item that is broken, but is repairable. This might be items like garden tools, sewing machine, small appliances, electronics, clothing, and more.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Stay on the Ground and Travel Differently

Instead of traveling by plane, I will find an alternative way to accomplish the goals of an upcoming trip (e.g., telepresence, vacation locally).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Complete a Personal Waste Audit

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill. I will share a photo and reflection of this action on the feed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Fix Leaky Faucets

I will report or fix leaking faucets in my dorm, apartment, or shared space to prevent water waste—up to 9 gallons (34 L) per day per faucet.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Complete an Online Energy Audit

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Eliminate Toxic Plastics

I will avoid buying toxic plastics - including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl - and instead replace them with durable non-plastic options.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Join my Student Government or Local Group

I will join my student government or another local group of decision makers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Choose Organic Ingredients

Organic farming practices are healthier and safer for our planet, animals, and people. I will enjoy 1 meals cooked with organic ingredients per day.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Engage in Joyful Movement

I will spend 20 minutes doing an activity where I'm both moving my body and enjoying myself.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Help Others in Need

I will offer to help 1 person(s) who are in need each day.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Build Healthy Work-Life Balance Habits

I will create healthier school-life balance habits by setting boundaries around classwork, study time, and rest to support my well-being.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Disconnect from Email

I will only check my email during school or study hours, using my personal time for activities that support my well-being and align with my values.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Engage In Active Listening

I will practice actively listening to a friend, family member, classmate, acquaintance, or someone who I may disagree with in at least 2 conversations.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Support A Sharing Economy

I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, neighbors or classmates.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Engage in a Mindfulness Practice

I will spend 8 minutes per day practicing Mindfulness.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Join a Local CSA

I will sign up for a local CSA (community-supported agriculture) or split a CSA share with roommates or friends.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Drive Less and Combine Trips

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Kristi Gifford 5/07/2026 1:25 PM
Are organic foods safer or more nutritious?

Short answer: Organic foods aren’t clearly more nutritious or much safer—but they do have some benefits.

✅ Safety:
Organic foods usually have lower pesticide residues, since synthetic pesticides are restricted. That said, both organic and conventional foods meet safety standards, and proper washing and food handling matter more for preventing illness.

✅ Nutrition:
Research shows little to no consistent difference in vitamins and minerals between organic and conventional foods. Some organic produce may have slightly higher antioxidants, but the difference is small.

🌱 Why choose organic?
- Reduce pesticide exposure
- Support environmentally friendly farming
- Align with animal welfare or sustainability values
💡 Big takeaway:
Eating more fruits, veggies, and whole foods—organic or not—has a much bigger impact on health than whether food is organic. A balanced, affordable approach (buying organic when it makes sense) is totally valid.

Are organic foods better for the environment?

Short answer: sometimes—but not always. It depends on what environmental impact you care about.

Where organic tends to be better 🌱
- Soil health: Organic farming often improves soil structure and organic matter, which helps prevent erosion and supports long‑term productivity.
- Biodiversity: Fewer synthetic pesticides and fertilizers generally mean more insects, pollinators, and wildlife around farms.
- Water quality: Reduced use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers lowers the risk of nutrient runoff that can pollute rivers and lakes.
- Chemical exposure: Organic systems reduce environmental buildup of synthetic pesticides.
Where organic may be worse or equal ⚖️
- Land use: Organic farming typically has lower yields, meaning it can require more land to produce the same amount of food.
- Climate impact: More land and mechanical weed control can increase greenhouse gas emissions per unit of food in some cases.
- Inputs still exist: Organic farms can still use approved pesticides and fertilizers—they’re just different types.
Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Canning and pickling food is a great way to have delicious summer fruits and vegetables all year round. Just make sure to follow the canning and pickling guidelines from the USDA or another trusted source. What are some foods that you would like to preserve and enjoy later in the year?
Kristi Gifford 4/30/2026 11:13 AM
Some foods I’d love to preserve and enjoy later in the year include:

Tomatoes: Canned as diced tomatoes, sauces, or salsas for soups and meals all winter long.

Peppers: Pickled or roasted and canned to add flavor and a little heat to dishes.

Cucumbers (dill only): Classic dill pickles are a must—they’re great as snacks or alongside meals.

Carrots: Pickled or pressure-canned to use in soups, stews, or side dishes.

Green beans: Pressure-canned and ready to serve as an easy vegetable option year-round.

Berries: Made into jams or preserves for toast, desserts, or yogurt.

Asparagus: Pickled asparagus for a crunchy snack or a flavorful addition to salads and charcuterie boards.

Preserving these foods helps capture peak-season freshness and makes it easier to enjoy homegrown flavors throughout the year.
Read More
Kristi Gifford 4/30/2026 10:56 AM

We’ve made it to the final day—nice work, everyone! Over the past few weeks, you’ve shown up, tried new habits, and made small changes that really do add up. That effort matters, and it’s been great to see our campus take this on together.
If you haven’t logged today’s action yet, there’s still time to sneak one more in and finish strong. And whether you completed a few actions or a lot, thank you for being part of it.

Let’s keep some of these habits going beyond today—because the EcoChallenge might be ending, but the impact doesn’t have to. ♻️💚

Thanks for taking part and caring about our campus and our planet.

Read More
Kristi Gifford 4/30/2026 10:48 AM
♻️ Recycle Right in Nebraska (NE)

Avoid Wishcycling & Keep Recycling Working

Wishcycling = putting something in the recycling bin hoping it’s recyclable.
Good intentions, but it can contaminate loads, damage equipment, and send more materials to the landfill.

✅ What DOES Go in Recycling (most NE programs)

Paper & Cardboard
- Newspapers, magazines, junk mail
- Office paper, paper bags
- Cardboard boxes (flattened), cereal/shoe boxes
  ✅ Clean & dry only
Plastics (Rigid Containers Only)
- Bottles, jugs, tubs, containers (#1–#5 are safest)
- Milk jugs, shampoo bottles, yogurt tubs
  ✅ Empty, clean, replace lid if possible
Metal
- Aluminum & steel cans
- Clean foil (balled up), metal lids
Cartons
- Milk, juice, soup & broth cartons
  ✅ Rinse and empty
Glass
- Bottles & jars are usually DROP‑OFF ONLY, not curbside (check your city)
🚫 Common “Wishcycled” Items (and What to Do Instead)

❌ Plastic bags, wrap, film
➡️ Grocery store drop‑off or special programs (not curbside)

❌ Greasy pizza boxes
➡️ Recycle clean lid; trash or compost greasy parts

❌ Styrofoam / foam packaging
➡️ Specialty drop‑off if available; otherwise trash

❌ Disposable coffee cups
➡️ Lid may recycle; cup usually trash (plastic‑lined)

❌ Clothes & textiles
➡️ Donate or use textile recycling

❌ Batteries & electronics
➡️ E‑waste or battery drop‑off (fire hazard!)

❌ Garden hoses, cords, wires
➡️ Trash or scrap metal recycler

❌ Ceramics, mirrors, window glass
➡️ Trash (not recyclable like bottles/jars)

❌ Diapers & paper towels
➡️ Trash only

🌱 Easy Rule to Remember

👉 When in doubt, leave it out.
Empty · Clean · Dry · Accepted items only.

Recycling right helps reduce landfill waste, lowers costs, and protects workers and equipment.
Read More
- Igor Sulety 5/01/2026 7:09 PM
  
  In Slovakia we have new recycle program for used plastic bottles. Amazing 🙏
  
  Read More
Kristi Gifford 4/29/2026 2:51 PM

Think paper bags are always better than plastic? Not necessarily. Some life-cycle analyses have found that a paper bag may need to be reused multiple times, often more than four, to have a lower overall environmental impact than a single plastic bag.

Read More
- Marshall Israll-Burnett (climactica 🎶) 4/29/2026 5:12 PM
  
  If you melt all of the plastic in one box of face masks, you have enough to make ~10 bags I had read recently!
  
  Read More
Kristi Gifford 4/28/2026 8:45 AM

Carbon offsets are booming, but many schemes are poorly monitored, overpromised, or even fraudulent. The idea that you can simply pay to erase your carbon footprint is a tempting eco‑myth. In many cases, offsetting does not deliver real, additional emissions reductions—it often shifts responsibility elsewhere or relies on credits that overstate their impact. The priority should be cutting emissions wherever possible. Start by focusing on high‑impact actions like reducing energy use, cutting unnecessary travel, and choosing lower‑carbon food options. Offsets should be used only for truly unavoidable emissions, and only through rigorously verified, reputable projects.

Read More
- Igor Sulety 4/28/2026 10:14 PM
  
  Very good opinion.
  
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- Melissa Tomecz 4/28/2026 7:27 PM
  
  I totally agree!
  
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Kristi Gifford 4/28/2026 8:42 AM

Eating more plants is one of the biggest ways you can help the planet. Research from the University of Oxford shows that moving toward a plant‑based diet can cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 73 percent. That said, simply swapping meat for highly processed soy or pea‑protein burgers—often wrapped in layers of plastic and shipped from across the world—doesn’t always live up to the hype. Many of these products are heavily refined, take a lot of energy to make, and come with ingredient lists so long they barely resemble real food.

Read More
Kristi Gifford 4/28/2026 7:37 AM

Organic cotton is often promoted as a greener alternative to conventional cotton, but the reality is more complex. Although it avoids certain harmful pesticides, organic cotton farming can require significantly more water—sometimes two to three times as much. Large-scale production may still contribute to soil depletion and can threaten local ecosystems through habitat loss. Ultimately, environmental impact depends more on farming practices than on certification labels alone. It’s a clear reminder that “organic” does not automatically mean sustainable.

Read More
- Lynette Lueders 4/28/2026 8:27 AM
  
  I had the wonderful opportunity to visit an organic small scale farm in Costa Rica several years ago. I remember the owners sharing how they farm on a small organic scale and it was crazy how much it showed compared to the farms around them. The drop in land elevation alone was crazy but had everything to do with how they farm and ensure they are taking care of the habitat as much sticking to organic farming practices as they could. Side note - I got to pet a dairy cow and it was the closest to a cow I've ever been!
  
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- Bethany Sauter 4/28/2026 8:19 AM
  
  This was something I recently learned as well! Organic isn't necessarily better! WIth fabrics or food!
  
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Kristi Gifford 4/28/2026 7:29 AM

It may seem controversial, but in some cases it is actually better to leave fluorescent lights on rather than turning them off multiple times throughout the day. A fluorescent light’s lifespan is largely determined by how many times it is switched on, and a significant portion of its energy use occurs during startup. As a result, if you plan to enter and exit a room repeatedly over the course of a day, leaving the lights on may be more efficient than turning them off each time you leave.

Read More
- Greatness Arthur-Samugana 4/28/2026 5:18 PM
  
  I see how it can be controversial because it contrary to what people believe, but I will definitely try this and see how it impact my electricity consumption
  
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- Bethany Sauter 4/28/2026 8:19 AM
  
  I did not know this! Thanks!
  
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Kristi Gifford 4/28/2026 7:27 AM

When it comes to cutlery, we should follow the same rules when ordering Asian takeout as we do with western food: avoid disposable items at any cost! Disposable chopsticks are responsible for tearing down 3.8 million trees in China alone. The solution to this is very simple: if you usually buy lots of Asian takeout, keep a set of reusable chopsticks with you. There are different kinds made of different materials — like metal, for example.

Read More
- Lynette Lueders 4/28/2026 8:29 AM
  
  Further argument for this - reusable chopsticks have less wood grains go get stuck in your food too! This also makes me think of the cutlery I use when I bring lunch to work or get food at work. I need to get better about having reusable cutlery that's easily accessible!
  
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- Bethany Sauter 4/28/2026 8:20 AM
  
  I have a few pairs of reusable chopsticks, lol. I didn't know that about the trees though! That's wild.
  
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