Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2023

July 1 - July 31, 2023

Danielle Dwyer

The Florida Aquarium

"To empower new Eco Challenge participants and support them in making sustainable swaps! "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,035 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

community event

hosted or attended
UP TO

88

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

38

pieces of plastic cutlery

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

7.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

36

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

73

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

waste audit

conducted

Danielle's actions

Kitchen

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Dig into Bioplastics

I will spend at least 45 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 7 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 6
DAILY 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 16
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

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

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

Study

Plastic History Buff

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 25 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Fill a Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 5 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 23
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Join a Cleanup Effort

I will host or participate in a beach, highway, river, or other cleanup effort in my community.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Share My Actions

I will make my environmental actions visible by sharing about them on my social media networks and the Plastic Free Ecochallenge participant feed.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Family + Pets

Balloons Blow

Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 5 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.

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

Kitchen

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 4 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Study

Buy Only What I Need

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Study

What did you learn about your ecological footprint by using the calculator? What did or didn't surprise you? What are some ways you will take action to reduce your footprint?
Danielle Dwyer 7/11/2023 1:33 PM
The result of my Ecological Footprint calculator shocked me! The initial summary report of the Ecological Footprint Calculator was eye opening, and made my feel very fortunate for the way I live. From what the calculator looked at, two areas in my life I can be more mindful of is what I purchase, since I am too far to walk or bike to work (although 15 miles would certainly be the workout!), and I currently cannot fix the efficiency of where I live. I would like to purchase produce bags so I can purchase unprocessed and local produce. Additionally, reducing the amount of clothing I purchase or only purchasing sustainably made clothing.

Read More
- Debbi Stone 7/13/2023 12:58 PM
  Great reflection, Danielle! I don't know as much about fast fashion as I do about some other issues, so I definitely want to learn more so that I can make a difference when I make better choices!
  
  Read More
Danielle Dwyer 7/10/2023 8:06 AM
Happy Monday, Eco-Warriors! I am excited to see that we have grown our team over the weekend!
If you are new here, welcome to The Florida Aquarium Team. Feel free to share with the team what you have learned, ask questions, or inquire about ways others have taken steps to reduce single use plastic.
I forgot to check in yesterday, but I was able to go back this morning and select any actions I did as well as check in for today!

Read More
- Debbi Stone 7/11/2023 6:31 AM
  Great job, Danielle! I also forgot to check in a few times this month...but we can all get back on track. :-)
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Family + Pets

Had you ever considered the environmental impact of balloons before? How can you share this information with your friends and family to encourage them to avoid balloons, too?
Danielle Dwyer 7/10/2023 7:58 AM
I was excited to see that there was an action item about balloons this year! When I attend birthday parties or other type of celebrations in my family, I can't help but notice the amount of waste these celebrations produce. Balloons especially, since they are not reusable.

I have thought about the environmental impact before. We often find the shiny metallic balloons when we do clean ups. My brother, who is often out in the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean for work, claims that he sees balloons more than any other litter. My brother and I sharing this with our family, has helped them reconsider their purchasing of balloons. Redirecting them to other decoration options, such as paper or recyclable decorations, can show them that balloons really are not necessary.

Read More
Danielle Dwyer 7/07/2023 8:32 AM
In this challenge, I have learned how to incorporate mindfulness in to my grocery shopping to make beneficial and sustainable choices for myself and my planet. At Publix, I got a magnet to put on my fridge that reminds me to not skip my reusable bags. By taking an extra moment to pause and grab my reusable bags, or looking around for alternative packaging options, and taking my time shopping, I allow time for mindfulness.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Kitchen

Beyond reducing waste, there are many benefits to packing zero waste lunches (for kids or yourself!). What other benefits have you noticed from this practice?
Danielle Dwyer 7/07/2023 8:28 AM
In the long run, buying reusable containers and cutlery saves you money! Making a one time purchase of some glass or silicone containers versus continuously purchasing plastic snack bags. Also, I noticed that putting my chips in a silicone container prevents them from getting crushes by other items in my bag!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

How does working with others to clean up your community make you feel?
Danielle Dwyer 7/06/2023 9:15 AM
On July 5th, The Florida Aquarium joined The Trash Pirates of Madeira Beach for a post-fireworks cleanup! It was inspiring to meet some of the locals who frequent the cleanups hosted by The Trash Pirates. Not only do they want to keep their community clean, but they understand how quickly litter can end up in the ocean with their proximity to it.

Read More
Danielle Dwyer 6/30/2023 10:41 AM
Plastic Free July officially begins tomorrow! I am looking forward to seeing our team members move toward a more sustainable lifestyle. I recommend checking out the actions under the 'Study' Action Category. There is opportunity to learn more about the history of single use plastics and the role is plays in our lives. Thank you all who have joined The Florida Aquarium's team so far!

Read More
Danielle Dwyer 6/29/2023 7:23 AM
The Plastic Free July Eco Challenge is an excellent opportunity for us to collaborate as a team and share ideas on sustainability with those we coexist with. Yesterday, my sister and I made a switch to reusable and washable cotton rounds!

Read More
Danielle Dwyer 6/13/2023 7:35 AM
With the Plastic Free July Eco Challenge approaching, I have taken time to reflect on last years Eco Challenge and what habits became a part of my lifestyle and which ones did not. It certainly is a challenge to become completely plastic free. However - it is important to remember that every action matters, no matter how big or small!

Read More
- Tango The Loggerhead 6/14/2023 10:46 AM
  Honestly between last year's PFJ and working at the Aquarium, I've turned to always have a reusable water bottle with me! Even my family is starting to use them more. Just one change is enough to open a dialogue with those who are watching :-)
  
  Read More
Danielle Dwyer 6/06/2023 11:45 AM
It has been so exciting to meet with teammates to begin brainstorming for Plastic Free July 2023! I am excited to see the teamwork and collaboration this challenge will bring.

Read More
- Tango The Loggerhead 6/07/2023 3:03 PM
  I love the enthusiasm everyone has for taking action!
  
  Read More