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Kaitlynn Hendricks's avatar

Kaitlynn Hendricks

Maryland Zoo

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 511 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    2.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    1.0
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    165
    minutes
    spent learning

Kaitlynn's actions

Study

Dig into Bioplastics

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 5 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
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

Family + Pets

Balloons Blow

Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 20 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.

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

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 15 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

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

Plastic History Buff

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 15 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Community

Research Local Waste Sites

I will spend 10 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Tour A Waste Management Facility

I will spend at least 10 minute(s) touring (virtually or in person) a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about our local waste and waste recovery streams.

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 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 3
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 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

  • 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?

    Kaitlynn Hendricks's avatar
    Kaitlynn Hendricks 7/21/2023 11:00 AM
    Balloons have been on my mind for a few years from when I first learned about their impact. Any time I use a balloon for an event (if I use any), I try to ensure there is nothing left behind and they are discarded properly. Anytime I see someone with an idea to release balloons I try to recommend a more meaningful action to that scenario that is more planet friendly.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Study
    Recycling right requires both systemic change and personal and community awareness. How can you expand what you've learned about the chasing arrows symbol to encourage broader changes in your community?

    Kaitlynn Hendricks's avatar
    Kaitlynn Hendricks 7/21/2023 10:57 AM
    I can expand my knowledge by paying more attention to the types of plastic I end up using and determining if it is one that has a harsher impact on the planet and trying to replace it with something better.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Study
    Were you surprised by what the different plastic identification numbers mean? How can this information help you become a better recycler?

    Kaitlynn Hendricks's avatar
    Kaitlynn Hendricks 7/21/2023 10:56 AM
    I had no idea how many different identification numbers existed or that there were different classifications. I had seen the numbers but just thought they were all the same. Now I know what to look for in terms of recycling properly.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Family + Pets
    What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.

    Kaitlynn Hendricks's avatar
    Kaitlynn Hendricks 7/21/2023 10:54 AM
    I think I am most concerned with plastic consumption, as it directly effects everything from Animals and their ecosystems to general pollution making it harder for re growth of plants.

  • Kaitlynn Hendricks's avatar
    Kaitlynn Hendricks 6/30/2023 8:27 AM
    Excited to start this challenge! Looking into getting a reusable tea infuser instead of tea bags and making my own teas!