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November 17 - November 21, 2025
Jacob Sequeira's avatar

Jacob Sequeira

Rethink Waste

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,245 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    10
    community events
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    731
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    90
    minutes
    spent outdoors

Jacob's actions

Day 1 - Rethink Waste

Participate in a Sorting Event

From 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., I will participate in a sorting event on the Forum to better understand consumer habits.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Rethink Waste

Watch the "Sort, Don't Stuff" Video

Watch the short video on how to properly sort your waste.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Nature Immersion

Practice Gratitude

I will spend 30 minutes each day practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth, nature, and community surrounding me.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 5 - Nature Immersion

Get Creative in the Outdoors

I will draw, paint, or create a piece of art while being outdoors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Rethink Waste

Learn about Waste Challenges and Initiatives in Ghana

I will dive deeper into waste challenges in Ghana and how this relates to our waste here at University of Richmond.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Nature Immersion

Share a plant or produce

Offer a friend a plant, propagation, or fresh produce from your garden!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Rethink Waste

Test Your Waste Knowledge: Rethink Waste 201

I will take the waste quiz to ensure I know what is compostable, recyclable, and what goes to the landfill.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Rethink Waste

Sign up for the Rethink Waste Newsletter

I will sign up for the Rethink Waste newsletter to stay engaged with what’s going on with waste on campus.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Rethink Waste

Fill Your Mug With Milo

Today or each morning, I will bring my own mug to the Forum from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. to fill up my cup with a Ghanaian favorite, Milo, a chocolatey warm drink. We will also have hot coffee if you like to start your morning with a cup of joe. You must bring your own mug or a reusable cup to get points for this action. On Thursday, we will be located at the Gottwald Auditorium in alignment with the Ghanaian guest speaker.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 1 - Rethink Waste

Rethink Waste 101: Zoom

I will join the Rethink Waste 101 Zoom from 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. to learn more about the culture of waste management and reuse in Ghana and to learn how we sort our waste at the University of Richmond.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 2 - Preservation & Conservation

Take a photo of a native plant

I will take a photo of a native plant and upload it to the Feed.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Day 1 - Rethink Waste

Take and Send a Photo

Take a photo of yourself from either the Sorting Event, the Milo refill station, or your visit to the Spider Exchange, and send it to [email protected]. If you submit each day, send a different photo. These photos may be used by the Rethink Waste team.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 1 - Rethink Waste

Visit the Spider Exchange

I will visit the on-campus "free store", known as the Spider Exchange, to donate unneeded items or "shop" for free from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Spider Exchange is located at 24D New Fraternity Row. Today, we will be playing Ghanaian music while you browse the shop!

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 1 - Rethink Waste

Learn about E-Waste in Ghana

I will learn about how e-waste has a negative impact on the environment and human health in Ghana.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 2 - Preservation & Conservation

Learn about indigenous tribes' relationship to the land

I will learn more about the traditional practices of land care and management.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 2 - Preservation & Conservation

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 2 - Preservation & Conservation

Read About James River & Ghanaian Waterway Restoration Efforts 

I will learn more about the history of the James River in Richmond and restoration plans for waterways in Ghana, including the Korle Lagoon, and what efforts are being done today to protect these waters.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 2 - Preservation & Conservation

Learn About Conservation Practices in Ghana and Organizations Protecting Natural Land

I will learn about how conservation practices are enacted in Ghana, and I will read about the organizations protecting this land.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 2 - Preservation & Conservation

Read about Ghanaian Wildlife Areas

I will virtually visit popular wildlife areas and parks in Ghana.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 2 - Preservation & Conservation

Volunteer to Beautify Westhampton Lake

Today from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., I will remove trash and help to beautify Westhampton Lake for the health of this ecosystem and the health of our watershed at large. Register using the link, and meet at the Westhampton Lake Gazebo.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Agriculture

Watch Documentary on Regenerative Agriculture

I will learn more about sustainable farming practices in Virginia and around the country.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Agriculture

Learn About the Farm Bill

I will learn more about the Farm Bill and how it impacts public health and public lands.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Agriculture

Learn About Locally Sourced Food

I will learn more about the importance of locally sourced food.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Agriculture

Attend the Lecture "Ghana to the World: Challenging African Stereotypes One Story at a Time"

I will attend the Global Engagement Lecture "Ghana to the World: Challenging African Stereotypes One Story at a Time" from Dr. Wunpini Mohammed at 12:00 p.m. in the International Commons.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Agriculture

Attend the Garden Harvest

Today, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., I will attend a tour of Abby's Garden and the UR Orchard & Food Forest, and learn more about what is being harvested at this time of year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Agriculture

Attend the International Education Week Fair: Ghana

I will attend the International Education Week Fair: Ghana at 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. in the Alice Haynes Room, THC, to engage with visiting speakers and others presenting their work and engagement with Ghana.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Agriculture

Learn About the Impact of Chocolate Farming in Ghana

I will learn how chocolate farming in Ghana and West Africa impacts our environment and communities.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 3 - Food & Agriculture

Attend International Dinner

I will attend the International Dinner at Heilman Dining Hall from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Community & Climate

Share a gift of gratitude

As an expression of gratitude, share a snack with a roommate, bring in baked goods to your workspace, gift a flower from your garden, give a friend a book to read, or find another thoughtful way to express care to your community (roommates, class, colleagues, neighbors, etc.).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Community & Climate

Attend the lecture "Reporting on Climate Change in Ghana and Africa"

I will attend the lecture from Gideon Sarpong on "Reporting on Climate Change in Ghana and Africa" from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. at the Gottwald Auditorium.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Community & Climate

Learn About Bus Rapid Transit Systems in Richmond and Accra, Ghana

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the benefits of bus rapid transit.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Community & Climate

Join a community event outside of the university

I will expand and broaden my community by attending one event or social gathering in the Richmond area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Community & Climate

Learn about the history of Richmond

I will spend 30 minutes today learning about the history of our local communities in the Greater Richmond area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Community & Climate

Walk with a Friend in the Eco-Corridor

I will go on a walk in the Eco-Corridor with a friend, colleague, or new acquaintance.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Day 5 - Nature Immersion

Attend a Forest Therapy Walk

I will attend a Forest Therapy Walk from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Please register in advance.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Nature Immersion

Share a Photo of Your Creation

I will share a photo of something I've drawn, painted, or created while being outdoors to the Feed on the Ecochallenge website.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Community & Climate

Read About the Stop Galamsey Movement in Ghana

I will read about the Stop Galamsey Movement in Ghana and how individuals engage in environmental activism.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 4 - Community & Climate

Learn about the importance of building community

I will learn about the importance of building community and what building community could look like through a sustainability lens.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Nature Immersion

Explore health benefits of being outdoors

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the health benefits that nature provides and ways to increase wellbeing through the outdoors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Nature Immersion

Explore Natural Landscapes in Ghana

I will learn more about beautiful natural landscapes in Ghana.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 5 - Nature Immersion

Learn about the Rights of Nature in Ghana

I will learn about the Rights of Nature Movement in Ghana.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Day 1 - Rethink Waste

Live the Refill Life

I will visit a local refill store to fill up on bulk items and reduce the purchasing of plastic. Refill shops not only allow you to refill containers instead of buying new, but they also carry numerous plastic-free swaps for many of the single-use items available at traditional retailers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Day 5 - Nature Immersion
    What is unique about Ghana's natural areas? Do these locations remind you of any other locations you've been to?

    Jacob Sequeira's avatar
    Jacob Sequeira 11/21/2025 1:10 PM
    I think it is unique that they do formal burials of the monkeys who passed away at the monkey sanctuary.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Day 5 - Nature Immersion
    How could you incorporate more outdoors time into your schedule for healthy benefits?

    Jacob Sequeira's avatar
    Jacob Sequeira 11/21/2025 12:51 PM
    I think if I am doing something stationary, like reading a book, or answering emails, I could take these activities outside!

  • Jacob Sequeira's avatar
    Jacob Sequeira 11/21/2025 12:42 PM
    I had a lot of fun learning this week. Ecochallenge RULES! and I can't wait for the next one.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Day 4 - Community & Climate
    What is one way that you could expand your current way of connecting with others for a more meaningful engagement?

    Jacob Sequeira's avatar
    Jacob Sequeira 11/21/2025 12:35 PM
    I think realizing in the mentioned Buddhist epistemology," that we are inherently interconnected and relational at our very core: we are relational animals." Simply acknowledging that we rely on relationships could open up numerous individuals.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Day 4 - Community & Climate
    How did the Stop Galamsey Movement gain momentum?

    Jacob Sequeira's avatar
    Jacob Sequeira 11/21/2025 11:59 AM
    The rapid increase in health issues caused by mercury contamination and the impact on fresh water and food preparation that is taking place.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Day 4 - Community & Climate
    Describe the benefits of Bus Rapid Transit.

    Jacob Sequeira's avatar
    Jacob Sequeira 11/21/2025 11:41 AM
    The BRT offers a regular schedule for riders, which means a much more reliable form of public transportation. It's also cheaper and in the case of Richmond's Pulse, it is FREE
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Day 3 - Food & Agriculture
    What are the health implications of the Farm Bill?

    Jacob Sequeira's avatar
    Jacob Sequeira 11/21/2025 10:42 AM
    The impact of soil conservation could have a positive effect on our health! Better soil means better produce
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Day 5 - Nature Immersion
    How does creating art help you connect to nature?

    Jacob Sequeira's avatar
    Jacob Sequeira 11/21/2025 10:15 AM
    I connect to nature through observance! translating nature onto the page is difficult but allows me to pay more attention to shapes and how to approximate them
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Day 5 - Nature Immersion
    Describe how you felt before and after the Forest Therapy Walk.

    Jacob Sequeira's avatar
    Jacob Sequeira 11/21/2025 10:11 AM
    Before the therapy walk nature along the eco corridor was more like background scenery, but after the walk I see it in a different light! All the sounds and movement are at the foreground.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Day 5 - Nature Immersion
    What other ways could we incorporate generosity into our community building efforts here at UR?

    Jacob Sequeira's avatar
    Jacob Sequeira 11/21/2025 7:57 AM
    I would love more plant swaps! I think they make great gifts and contribute to a greener workspace. I gave Daniel a Spider plant cutting!

    • Amy Atticks's avatar
      Amy Atticks 11/21/2025 8:15 AM
      If the EcoChallenge and Gratitude Day overlap next year -- perhaps there could be coordination on thanking donors (doing something nice, appreciating generosity), planting a native (there is usually a planting component at the GD stations).