Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2023

July 1 - July 31, 2023

Kathleen Hitchner

"It is my mission to reduce my and my family's plastic consumption in order to reduce plastic pollution of the environmemt, particularly our oceans."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,110 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

7.0

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

2.0

pieces of plastic cutlery

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

3.0

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

12

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

100

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

waste audit

conducted

Kathleen's actions

Bathroom

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Tour A Waste Management Facility

I will spend at least 30 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

Family + Pets

All Natural Pet Toys

I will give my pets natural alternatives to toys like femur bones and antlers, canvas, natural rubber, hemp, rope or cotton toys. Or make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!

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

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

Family + Pets

Balloons Blow

Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 15 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.

COMPLETED
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

Kitchen

Cook a Plastic Free Meal

I will prepare meals at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Kitchen

Fill a Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Use a Reusable Mug

If possible, I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own travel cup.

COMPLETED 2
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 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Swap the Snacks

I will swap out 4 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

COMPLETED 2
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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Brush with Bamboo

I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Pearly Whites

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Eco Deodorant

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

A Sustainable Flow

I will make the switch to sustainable, reusable period products.

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

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

Bathroom

Homemade or Refillable Cleaners

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

Kathleen Hitchner 7/31/2023 5:18 PM
I'd like to thank everyone on our Sage Ecologicals Team for your dedication & support throughout this eco-challenge! I've learned so much, not just from the wealth of information presented within the eco-challenge itself, but from many brilliant ideas from all of you! THANK YOU!!

Read More
- Louisa Lubiak 7/31/2023 5:29 PM
  Thank you, Kathleen, for joining the team! I'm glad you got so much out of this Ecochallenge!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Bedroom

What are the benefits (to people, animals, and the environment) of purchasing clothes made with natural fibers?
Kathleen Hitchner 7/31/2023 4:54 PM
Purchasing fabrics made from natural fibers reduces the amount of microplastics being released into the environment from washing and even wearing/using synthetic fibers. Fabrics derived from plants rather than from fossil fuels have a smaller environmental footprint. For these and other reasons, using natural fibers is better for human health as well as the health of the planet. You can add to the positive impact by buying used or vintage from stores like Goodwill or vintage boutiques.

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?
Kathleen Hitchner 7/31/2023 4:21 PM
It can be overwhelming, trying to make time in an already-busy schedule and dealing with health issues, to do more to prepare food. But it is rewarding knowing that it is better for the environment and healthier for me and my family.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Bathroom

What did you learn by making your own cleaning products? What is the biggest difference in making vs buying?
Kathleen Hitchner 7/28/2023 9:08 PM
There are so many (potentially dangerous) ingredients in commercially produced cleaners. I was surprised how few ingredients are actually required to make my own cleaners. They are pretty effective too. It is also cheaper to make my own cleaning products, which is a bonus. Economics in any of these eco-challenge activities could convince those who may not be environmentally minded to give the more ecologically friendly practices and products a try.

Read More
- Lydia Roe 7/31/2023 6:14 AM
  That's a great incentive! The more pro's, the more people will listen and engage.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Bathroom

Currently most of the packaging for toothpaste is plastic. How can you advocate for more alternatives through your purchasing power and influence in community?
Kathleen Hitchner 7/28/2023 8:55 PM
I didn't know until doing the Eco Challenge that were DIY toothpastes! I will definitely share this and other toothpaste alternatives ideas I have learned about with friends & family.

Read More
- Kathleen Hitchner 7/31/2023 5:09 PM
  Thanks for letting me know about huppy, Victoria! I'll definitely try it.
  
  Read More
- Victoria Hyland 7/29/2023 12:32 PM
  I've never tried DIY toothpaste, I will have to try it out! One eco friendly toothpaste that I bought was by a brand called huppy and they come in a tin and are tablet toothpastes they don't require any water. You just put them in your mouth and chew then brush! They're great for travel too!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Bathroom

Disposable tampons and menstrual pads are often quite expensive. What are the economic and personal benefits of this switch for you?
Kathleen Hitchner 7/28/2023 8:52 PM
While the economics of this issue is a bonus, for me it was much more about reducing the waste that is produced by using disposable products. Although I admit I will still use tampons when swimming. As Louisa so eloquently stated, there will be wins and fails in all of our attempts to be more ecologically-minded in our decisions.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Bedroom

The simple act of hang drying your laundry can be an act of mindfulness. Where else in your daily routine can you make mindfulness a practice?
Kathleen Hitchner 7/28/2023 8:40 PM
Mindfulness is mandatory when trying to change our habits to be more eco-friendly. But being mindful in all aspects of our lives every day can lead us to be more empathetic, kind, patient with others, What a better society and world this would be if we all strove to be more mindful.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Bathroom

What are the benefits of switching to bamboo toothbrushes? How would you implore others in your community to make this switch as well?
Kathleen Hitchner 7/27/2023 3:44 PM
Plastic toothbrushes last forever; wooden ones degrade, including the bristles if they're biobased. I can advocate to my friends, family, coworkers and church members to switch to bamboo. (They're used to me advocating for other environmental practices anyway.) I can even advocate for their use at my dentist office. I realize they get free plastic toothbrushes from Big Business to give out to their customers, but perhaps they could also have literature about bamboo toothbrushes on the counter in the reception area or on the bulletin board, to educate their patients about this choice.

Read More
- Victoria Hyland 7/28/2023 6:24 AM
  Great job making the switch! I switched years ago, and I like them so much better! I really like your idea of advocating for bamboo brushes at the dentist's office. I'll have to give that a try! :)
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Bathroom

Do some research on the toxic side affects of aluminum deodorant. After reading the side effects, can you think of instances where you may have experienced the side effects from this form of deodorant?
Kathleen Hitchner 7/27/2023 3:30 PM
Honestly, I'm not sure if I have experienced side effects from aluminum deodorant, as I have been experiencing varied and multiple effects from long COVID. But after trying aluminum free deodorants, I have found them to not be effective. So my win was trying them, but my fail is, I have to use antiperspirants, which contain aluminum. :-(

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Kitchen

Do an inventory of your kitchen to see how many single-use plastics you've used in the past. What are some resuable alternatives to these commonly used products? What would your impact be if you switched all the single-use products from your inventory to reusable?
Kathleen Hitchner 7/27/2023 3:23 PM
Cooking the plastic-free meal definitely necessitated visiting the farm market and roadside stand. But it was delicious because everything was fresh, and satisfying because no plastics were purchased/used.
Taking an inventory of my kitchen of single-use plastics, I noticed that many single-use plastics that wind up there are not single-use. I re-use them as many times as I can for food storage, food transport, I bring them with me to restaurants for to-go boxes, I wash & re-use zip-loc bags, etc. My husband thought I was crazy at first, but now he re-uses zip-locs and other containers too.

Read More