1. How long will the project take?
One week +1 day, beginning and ending on a Sunday.
2. Can I do this alone?
Sure, but we recommend doing it with at least one friend.
3. How many days do I have to participate?
Do as many as you can, but like most challenges in life, the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it.
4. What if some of the activities are impossible for me to do?
If a challenge is truly impossible, don’t sweat it.
5. How will taking these small steps have any real impact on climate change?
Every small behavior change you make or every political action you take adds to a growing wave of change and influences your community to get on the ball! Read more here.
6. Do I have to be a hippie, activist, granola eater to participate in the experiment?
No. And that stereotype is so passe’.
7. What if I need to use a car to get to work and my town doesn’t offer public transport?
Not to worry! We offer a wide spectrum of options for each phase and take into account varying lifestyles. Besides, your no-impact activities don’t have to be the same intensity across the board. If you can’t do much for transportation, then give extra attention to food or energy. This is a great opportunity to think about what it would take for you to use your car less and other means of transport more. Find a ride-share here.
8. I’m really into this project, but my partner or family doesn’t want to join in. How do I lower my impact without driving my family crazy?
Find positive small ways to engage the people in your life. Cook a local meal for them, carpool, or organize a TV-free game night.
9. I live in an area that doesn’t offer recycling. How can I participate in the trash phase?
Try to avoid buying anything that needs to be recycled, such as plastic bottles, and turn glass jars into travel mugs (like Colin did) or pencil holders. For all phases of the experiment, it’s best to see what resources you have available and to use your creativity to make the most of them. Get some fun repurposing ideas here.
10. I don’t really have time for this project but I want to do something. What can I do to help the planet and maintain my busy schedule?
Look through our website for some tips and advice, and figure out what little things you can do to make a difference. Anything you do helps, no matter how small. Alternatively, you can make a donation to the No Impact Project to help us help the planet. Click here to get some simple ideas from other readers.
11. I have to use my computer for work all day every day, how can I take part in the Experiment?
We completely understand that most of us depend on computers to make a living. We are not asking you to quit your job and go back to the land. This Experiment is about making realistic behavior changes. If you can power down over the weekend, that’s great! If not, don’t sweat it.
12. How do I organize a No Impact Week at my school or in my community?
Click here to find out how to get a license and organizer’s toolkit to bring the No Impact Week to your school or community!
13. Why do you charge for the No Impact Week license and organizer’s toolkit?
By charging a fee to those who are able to pay for the No Impact Week program we as an organization can focus less of our time on outside fundraising, and more time directly assisting organizers with No Impact Weeks, updating materials and creating new programs.
14.What if I want to organize a No Impact Week but can’t pay?
If you are not able to pay the licensing and program fee for the No Impact Week and are not able to fundraise to pay the fee, you can apply here for a fee reduction.
15.Who else has hosted a No Impact Week?
We have partnered with…
The Sierra Club
The Huffington Post
The NRDC
YES! Magazine
The Asian Development Bank
West Chester University
Auburn University
Fort Lewis College
Loyola University
Susquehanna University
Fordham University
Georgia Southern University
College of Wooster
Hunter College
San Diego State University
Eckerd College
Eastern Washington University
Auburn University
University of Colorado Boulder
Columbia University
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Georgia Southern University
Hunter College
Illinois State University
Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Toluca
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Indiana Wesleyan University
University of California Merced
Montana State University
University of Notre Dame
Ohio State University
Rollins College
Santa Fe University
Texas State University
University of North Carolina Wilmington
The New School
Penn State Behrend
Mercyhurst College
Hesston College
Grand Valley State University
Northern Arizona University
University of California-Merced
Arizona State University
Allegheny College
Gannon University
Edinboro University
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Viterbo University
Western Technical College
…and many more!