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Sheri Anderson's avatar

Sheri Anderson

Reid Park Zoo

"I will do my best to use as little plastic as I can and say no to styrofoam."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,066 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    3.0
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    119
    pieces of plastic cutlery
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    43
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    43
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    147
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    150
    minutes
    spent learning

Sheri's actions

Bedroom

Eco Detergent

I will use laundry detergent that is packaged in glass or aluminum, or an alternative like soap nuts.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Research Local Waste Sites

I will spend 15 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Swap the Snacks

I will swap out 3 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Become a Recycling Pro

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 30 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Family + Pets

Thrifty Pets

I will find secondhand sources for my pet's water/food dishes, collars or leashes.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Clean Plate Club

When I need to replace my dish soap, I will switch to a bar or refillable option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Plant a Garden

I will plant an herb or vegetable garden using as little plastic as possible and to save from the plastic used buying herbs and veggies.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Travel Eating

If traveling, I will bring my own snacks and meals in my own containers to avoid the waste of take-out containers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Natural Fibers

When available, I will purchase clothing and bedding made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Plastic Free Lunch Boxes

I will only pack reusable cutlery, drinkware and containers in my family's lunches to reduce plastic waste.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 3 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Bathroom

Homemade or Refillable Cleaners

I will make my own cleaning products or choose plastic-free, refillable options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Sunshine Bleached

I will hang-dry my laundry to use the sun as a natural bleach alternative, or use another natural bleach alternative.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Choose Reusable Food Storage

I will only use reusable containers instead of single-use plastic storage items (such as plastic wrap, single-use sandwich bags).

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Bathroom

Sustainable Suds

I will replace my soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions with sustainable, unpackaged, or refillable options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Ditch Dryer Sheets

I will use wool dryer balls or another plastic-free alternative to dryer sheets to keep my clothes static-free.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Say No to "Flushable Wipes"

Wipes don't break down in sewer systems, but combine with fat to create massive clogs. I will find alternatives to using disposable wipes.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Study

Learn about Plastic Production

Plastic production, not just disposal, pollutes communities and harms people. I will learn about the impacts of plastic production on humans, animals, communities, and the environment.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Rubber Glove Pet Hair Removal

I will use a rubber glove to remove pet hair from clothes, carpets and furniture.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Study

Say No to Styrofoam

Throughout its life cycle, polystyrene (styrofoam) can harm people, communities, and the planet. I will refuse styrofoam whenever I can, making sure to kindly let people know why I'm asking for alternative packaging.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bathroom
    Even though they are marketed as "flushable," disposable wipes do not disintegrate in water or the sewer system, and actually release microplastics into our waterways. How does it feel to learn this information? What do you want to do about it?

    Sheri Anderson's avatar
    Sheri Anderson 7/25/2023 11:47 PM
    I have stopped using these products. I'm sad that I've been using a product that is doing so much damage to the environment. Grateful for this ecochallange to expand my awareness.

  • Sheri Anderson's avatar
    Sheri Anderson 7/23/2023 10:53 AM
    We only have to set our garbage can out for pick-up every other week and then it's only about half full. Saves energy with the garbage truck not having to stop.

    • Mary Hanks's avatar
      Mary Hanks 7/23/2023 11:05 AM
      I also put out the garbage and recycling bins for pickup only when they're close to capacity. It saves energy AND wear and tear on the trucks. Small actions add up to big impacts!

  • Sheri Anderson's avatar
    Sheri Anderson 7/23/2023 10:23 AM
    I've been taking a lunchbox with ice packs and reusable container for leftovers when I go out to eat. I feel much better not taking styrofoam containers that have to go in the trash.

    • Mary Hanks's avatar
      Mary Hanks 7/23/2023 2:53 PM
      I carry my own reusable takeout container too. I live in Houston, Texas, so I really have to carry some kind of wrap every day of the year--either it's so cold outside I need one, or it's so hot outside that the indoors is air-conditioned to the point where I'm uncomfortable chilled, which can trigger my Reynaud's syndrome. It's easier to manage a wrap if I simply carry it in a bag rather than loose over an arm. Last year, when I started eating with friends again after the COVID lockdowns, I added a leftover container to the bad since folks are always pressing food on me but they don't always have sustainable containers handy.

    • Lizzy Simpson's avatar
      Lizzy Simpson 7/23/2023 12:16 PM
      This is totally what I’m going to do when we go places from now on! Amazing idea!

    • Connie Peterson's avatar
      Connie Peterson 7/23/2023 12:06 PM
      Thats actually a great idea! I always bring food home when we dine out. We eat casual local dining so you package your own at the table anyway... GREAT suggestion!