Elizabeth Byrd

Donate old handheld electronics for recycling at the zoo's ticket window. Items will be sent to Eco-Cell and funds raised from recycling are donated to support wild gorillas.

I will try new recipe(s) or food preparation method(s) each day, such as canning, pickling, making yogurt, or baking granola bars or bread.

I will swap out 2 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

When possible, I will not use disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags.

I will prepare meals at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

I will purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.

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

I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

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

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

I will spend at least 60 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 2 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 60 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

I will calculate my ecological footprint, and from the results brainstorm and take action on ways I can reduce my annual footprint.

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

When it's time to buy more, I will replace my beauty products with refillable, sustainable, and/or DIY options.

I will spend 60 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

I will conduct a waste audit - including recyclables and compost - to understand how much waste I create and where I can reduce the most.

I will make the switch to sustainable, reusable period products.

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

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

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

The numbers #1-7 on plastics tell us a lot - and can help us be better recyclers. I will learn what these numbers mean and which types of plastics are accepted for recycling in my area.

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.

The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 68 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

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

I will replace my pet's shampoo with an eco-friendly shampoo bar or refillable shampoo option.

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.

Come by the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo on Saturday, July 8, 10 am - 1 pm and chat with volunteers from Days for Girls. They will be giving out FREE reusable washable pads (for menstruation and incontinence) and beds for companion animals made by volunteers at the North Florida Sewing Center.

I will donate 15 zero waste period kits to young people with periods so that they can reduce their waste and the financial burden of menstruation while continuing their education.