Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2023

July 1 - July 31, 2023

Marcy Gonzales

OKC Zoo and Botanical Garden

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,571 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

2.0

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

92

pieces of plastic cutlery

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

69

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

170

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

42

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

waste audit

conducted

Marcy'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 30
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Go Strawless

I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Kitchen

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 28
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Glass Bottle Baby

I will replace 1 plastic bottles with glass or stainless steel alternatives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Swap the Snacks

I will swap out 1 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

COMPLETED 28
DAILY ACTIONS

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 29
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Bathroom

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Homemade or Refillable Cleaners

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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

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 10 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

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 2 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Family + Pets

Balloons Blow

Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 10 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.

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 10 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

DIY Cat Litter

I will swap out my cat's litter for sawdust, mulch, or dirt with baking soda.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 30
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?
Marcy Gonzales 7/23/2023 7:00 PM
I'm much more conscious of products that I use and whether or not they are made up of single use plastics, sustainably sourced, and/or biodegradable. I'm also going to advocate for legislation, and legislators, that push back against plastic companies that put money behind laws that prohibit bans on single use plastics. There have been numerous breakthroughs in alternative packaging that is just as strong as plastic, but breaks down in a way that isn't harmful to the planet. There's no good excuse for the continued mass production of so much single use plastic.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Study

What did you learn about the waste you create? Where can you reduce the most?
Marcy Gonzales 7/22/2023 12:13 PM
I'm still purchasing items that come in recyclable containers that my recycle center doesn't take, so I need to work on that.

Read More
Marcy Gonzales 7/22/2023 12:10 PM
I had been buying handsoap in aluminum bottles instead of plastic, but I found an earth conscious company called Blue Land that sells glass bottles with dissolveable soap tablets that come in paper packaging. The bottles are good quality, and the soap scent I have, Iris agave, smells amazing.

Read More
- Rose Bemo 7/26/2023 6:38 PM
  I recently saw their toilet bowl tablets at Costco. I didn’t look for other products, but I checked out their website & I love their mission.
  
  Read More
- Dominique Hunt 7/23/2023 10:53 AM
  That's so cool. I'll have to check them out!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Family + Pets

Other species can teach us important lessons about ourselves and life in general. What has your cat taught you?
Marcy Gonzales 7/22/2023 12:05 PM
Bonnie the cat is a lesson in patience, as many cats can be. She's super impatient and super chill all at the same time. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Kitchen

How can you take your commitment to sustainable living beyond yourself and your family? How can you, personally, work toward broader change?
Marcy Gonzales 7/19/2023 9:54 AM
I can write a letter to, or email legislators to advocate for more useful laws that focus on protecting the environment. I can also get out and vote for candidates who want to enact change for the betterment of the environment.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Bedroom

Was this an easy or difficult swap for you to make? Did you have any concerns before making the swap?
Marcy Gonzales 7/19/2023 9:48 AM
This was a super easy swap. There are so many more sustainable products that are easily accessible than there were just 3 or 4 years ago.

Read More
Marcy Gonzales 7/16/2023 1:58 PM
I attended a relatives birthday celebration yesterday, and there were next to no non-plastic options for beverage containers. I drank Brisk tea from a can, but was also handed a plastic bottle of water (I kept refilling it), and the utensils were all plastic. This got me thinking about the social aspect of single-use plastics. I realized that I'm going to have to take my reusable utensils and water bottle with me to parties if I want to go completely sustainable in some ways. Have any of you thought about these things when you've attended a social function?

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?
Marcy Gonzales 7/16/2023 1:46 PM
I had thought about the impact of balloons on the environment. I'm very up front with family and friends when I hear them planning a party, and or talking about wanting to get balloons. I let them know what the consequences can be.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Bedroom

What are the benefits (to people, animals, and the environment) of purchasing clothes made with natural fibers?
Marcy Gonzales 7/16/2023 1:42 PM
Clothing made from natural fibers are more durable, therefore the clothes last longer. This means the less you have to buy clothes the more you save. It's also better for the environment, because most clothes are made with some sort of plastic, which, as we know takes thousands of years to breakdown...even after they become micro plastics.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Bathroom

What did you learn by making your own cleaning products? What is the biggest difference in making vs buying?
Marcy Gonzales 7/16/2023 1:38 PM
The answer to the difference between making and buying is, for me, always going to be how economical it is. It saves me money. Simple as that. And as far as cleaners go....it's amazing what vinegar and water can accomplish. I usually add a little lemon in to help cut the vinegary smell.

Read More