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Gary Goatcher's avatar

Gary Goatcher

National Aquarium

"To use this month to change our daily habits and learn new ways to live sustainably. "

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,041 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    22
    pieces of plastic cutlery
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    6.0
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    6.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    177
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    257
    minutes
    spent learning

Gary's actions

Family + Pets

Homemade Pet Treats

I will prepare my own pet treats to avoid plastic packaging.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Bathroom

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Eco Deodorant

I will switch to a plastic-free deodorant — whether purchased or DIY'd.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Switch to Loose Leaf Tea

Because many tea bags and most sleeves and sachets contain plastic, I will switch to using loose leaf tea.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Family + Pets

Natural Paints

I will paint rooms in my home with low/no VOC or natural paints.

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Discover Together

I will spend 15 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Pearly Whites

I will switch to a plastic-free toothpaste — whether purchased or DIY'd.

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.

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 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

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 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 10
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 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Bedroom

Catch Those Microfibers

I will use a microfiber catcher in my laundry, or install a microfiber filter for my washing machine.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Thrifty Pets

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Buy Only What I Need

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

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Family + Pets

Invest in a Pooper-Scooper

I will swap out my single use plastic bags for a pooper-scooper.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed


  • Gary Goatcher's avatar
    Gary Goatcher 7/20/2023 6:19 AM
    I am taking the family camping and we are making it a plastic free trip. Our goal is to create no trash and only have a bag of recycling at the end.

  • Gary Goatcher's avatar
    Gary Goatcher 7/12/2023 6:14 AM
    It takes a little extra work to remember and plan out shopping or activities to avoid plastic usage. I do believe I am building better habits, and bringing the family along with me. My youngest son is really helping push us.

    • Ginni La Rosa-Ponsini's avatar
      Ginni La Rosa-Ponsini 7/12/2023 7:28 PM
      That's awesome that younger people are paying attention and making conscious decisions about sustainability! I hope it means that the future is in good hands!
  • 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?

    Gary Goatcher's avatar
    Gary Goatcher 7/06/2023 4:52 AM
    My hobby is forging knives. I have a small propane forge set up in my yard. I took an old piece of scrap metal I had laying around and I am forging myself a straight razor old school style to shave with. I will update when it is finished. I bought one to use and model mine off.

  • Gary Goatcher's avatar
    Gary Goatcher 7/03/2023 10:28 AM
    So far so good. I have told my wife and kids about this challenge and they have joined me and will help us be plastic free for the month. A lot of the goals are things we already do as a family.

    • Debra Debra Lee Norton Wear's avatar
      Debra Debra Lee Norton Wear 7/03/2023 6:21 PM
      Making it a family affair makes it easier to stick to it and it is setting a good example that your children can carry with them !!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Family + Pets
    How are caring for your pet and caring for the environment connected for you?

    Gary Goatcher's avatar
    Gary Goatcher 7/03/2023 10:26 AM
    I installed in my back yard a dog waste in ground disposal system. It is an Eco-friendly disposal that uses enzymes and bacteria to break the waste down and fertilize the ground.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bedroom
    Which microfiber solution did you choose? How has it changed your laundry routine?

    Gary Goatcher's avatar
    Gary Goatcher 7/03/2023 10:23 AM
    We put a filter on the drain line for the washer.
  • 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?

    Gary Goatcher's avatar
    Gary Goatcher 7/03/2023 10:21 AM
    Packed my lunch today, made my coffee at home, did not buy any snacks, only purchases today was my medicine.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen
    Take time to reflect or meditate over your plastic-free cup of tea. Share your thoughts and reflections with us here!

    Gary Goatcher's avatar
    Gary Goatcher 7/03/2023 10:19 AM
    I boiled a full pitcher of unsweetened Black tea, and used the tea leaves for my worm garden.
  • 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?

    Gary Goatcher's avatar
    Gary Goatcher 7/03/2023 10:17 AM
    I bought reusable containers so my wife, myself and our oldest daughter can take lunch's every day to work.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen
    With the added mindfulness of reducing your packaging, what have you noticed about the amount and type of single use plastics used for packaging when you shop in the grocery store?

    Gary Goatcher's avatar
    Gary Goatcher 7/03/2023 10:16 AM
    We buy in bulk items and store in reusable containers.