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Gail Carroll-Stone's avatar

Gail Carroll-Stone

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

"To support the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium team!"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 311 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    7.0
    pieces of plastic cutlery
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    6.0
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    23
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill

Gail's actions

Kitchen

Plastic Free Lunch Boxes

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Kitchen

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Kitchen

Cook a Plastic Free Meal

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Swap the Snacks

I will swap out 5 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

COMPLETED 2
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 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Use a Reusable Mug

If possible, I will avoid sending 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own travel cup.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Bathroom

Travel Toiletries

If traveling, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Sustainable Suds: Pet Edition

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Thrifty Pets

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

UNCOMPLETED
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

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen
    How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?

    Gail Carroll-Stone's avatar
    Gail Carroll-Stone 7/17/2023 7:23 AM
    We've been washing and reusing our plastic bags and it's gone well. My husband and son are on board with the effort, so it's a home-team advantage.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen
    How can you be an advocate for using reusables instead of disposables for the rest of your community? Where are they currently dependent on disposable food packaging or eating utensils, and how can you convince them of the need for change?

    Gail Carroll-Stone's avatar
    Gail Carroll-Stone 7/17/2023 7:21 AM
    I will provide reusable utensils at my workplace so that everyone can have something available.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen
    How does swapping out prepackaged snacks for fresh fruit or veggies benefit your family?

    Gail Carroll-Stone's avatar
    Gail Carroll-Stone 7/05/2023 6:51 AM
    We are all trying to eat as many healthy items as we can. The biggest win is in portable fruits although they carry a risk of increased plastic bag usage. We will need to define a new carrying tool such as paper bags or individual containers.

    • Sarah LeBret's avatar
      Sarah LeBret 7/05/2023 6:59 AM
      Love my reusable jars or lightweight silicone baggies to carry on-the-go snacks! Jam jars are the perfect size for celery or apples and peanut butter dip :)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen
    How can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?

    Gail Carroll-Stone's avatar
    Gail Carroll-Stone 7/05/2023 6:49 AM
    We have many reusable containers in the house, but my husband is very dependent upon sandwich bags for many items. It will be a challenge to make the conversion.

    • Krystina Jarvis's avatar
      Krystina Jarvis 7/05/2023 7:27 AM
      "It's only single-use if you only use it once." If you can't quite quit Ziploc bags (or have a lot on hand to use before switching to something reusable) you can still use them and wash them! I haven't purchased Ziploc bags in at least 7 years and still have some that I wash and reuse. Sometimes we've just been marketed that something is single-use, but there's no reason it can't be reused again and again!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen
    Since the restrictions that COVID-19 has required of our society, trying to use your own cup might present new barriers, as well as new opportunities for creative problem solving. How were you able to achieve success on this action? How can you make it a long-term habit?

    Gail Carroll-Stone's avatar
    Gail Carroll-Stone 7/05/2023 6:47 AM
    I have been using a reusable container for my daily iced tea and have had no issues related to COVID-19 changes.