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Welcome to Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2023!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2023 expert in no time!

Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums
Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2023
July 1 - July 31, 2023
Madelyn Cox's avatar

Madelyn Cox

Team Stingray

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 995 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    63
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    40
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    310
    minutes
    spent learning

Madelyn's actions

Bathroom

Homemade or Refillable Cleaners

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

Study

Buy Only What I Need

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

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 3 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 15
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

Study

Plastic History Buff

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Eco Detergent

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Green Beauty

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

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

Study

Estimate Your Ecological Footprint

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Follow the Chasing Arrows

The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 20 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Numbers Everywhere

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Try a New Recipe

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.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Bedroom

Sunshine Bleached

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Complete a Waste Audit

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Swap the Snacks

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

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Study
    How has learning about the history of single-use plastic shifted your mindset on plastics and their function within society?
    Madelyn Cox's avatar
    Madelyn Cox 7/31/2023 3:27 PM
    At the end of the day, the history and purpose of especially single use plastics just disgusts me. Despite humanity's clear negative impact on the planet, we continue to produce waste at a rapid pace exclusively for our own gain, whether convenience or money. It's disturbing!
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen
    How does swapping out prepackaged snacks for fresh fruit or veggies benefit your family?
    Madelyn Cox's avatar
    Madelyn Cox 7/30/2023 6:31 PM
    Not only does replacing packaged snacks keep plastic from the environment, but it's also tons healthier for human consumption. You wouldn't believe the things that go into most prepackaged snacks to keep them on shelves longer! Fruits and vegetables are just healthier in general.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bathroom
    What have you noticed about the economic and social impact of switching to steel razors? Was there ever really a need for disposable razors, or do you think it was just a way to sell more things?
    Madelyn Cox's avatar
    Madelyn Cox 7/30/2023 6:18 PM
    There was never really a need for disposable razors it seems, other than ease of use (something you can just discard and replace after you're done versus having to go through changing the blade), and maybe initial price. I've always liked owning things that make up for however much they cost in the long run, especially if what seems to cost less for me costs the environment a lot of struggle.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    How does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?
    Madelyn Cox's avatar
    Madelyn Cox 7/22/2023 7:23 PM
    I like picking up litter in the public places I go. It may not be much, but it makes me feel so much better about the areas I enjoy being in; like I can really take pride in appreciating not only them, but the environment I am also helping keep clean. It feels like I am creating an environment other people can also enjoy!
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Study
    As you have reduced your spending, what have you noticed about your 'health and safety' purchasing habits? How might this change your longer term purchasing decisions?
    Madelyn Cox's avatar
    Madelyn Cox 7/02/2023 3:58 PM
    I think a lot more about my environmental impact with every purchase I make. I always want to make sure that what I buy will overall be useful, like today I purchased reusable produce bags for when I buy fresh produce, eliminating my use of those pesky plastic bags that aren't good for anything else.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen
    How do you feel about being more involved in the food preparation process? Joyful, overwhelmed, engaged, empowered? What are the benefits of choosing to process or produce your own food instead of buying it pre-processed?
    Madelyn Cox's avatar
    Madelyn Cox 7/02/2023 10:01 AM
    I tried a new recipe for banana bread to use up the bananas I had saved in my freezer once they got too ripe for anyone to want. I was a little worried it wouldn't turn out well, but it was probably the best banana bread I've had! Even my partner (who is a very picky eater) really enjoyed it. And it was all made with ingredients we already had! It was a great experience and I really enjoyed it.
    Read More