Katie Long

When available, I will purchase clothing and bedding made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.

I will give a shout-out on social media to a local company, coworker, friend or family member for their plastic free or green efforts.

I will hang-dry my laundry to use the sun as a natural bleach alternative, or use another natural bleach alternative.

I will teach my little ones about microplastics while we do a craft project together using glitter alternatives.

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

When it's time to buy more, I will replace my beauty products with refillable, sustainable, and/or DIY options.

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

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

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

If traveling, I will bring my own snacks and meals in my own containers to avoid the waste of take-out containers.

I will only use reusable containers instead of single-use plastic storage items (such as plastic wrap, single-use sandwich bags).

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

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 15 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 30 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

I will use a rubber glove to remove pet hair from clothes, carpets and furniture.

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.

Donate old handheld electronics for recycling at the zoo's ticket window. Items will be sent to Eco-Cell and funds raised from recycling are donated to support wild gorillas.

Come by the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo on Saturday, July 8, 10 am - 1 pm and chat with volunteers from Days for Girls. They will be giving out FREE reusable washable pads (for menstruation and incontinence) and beds for companion animals made by volunteers at the North Florida Sewing Center.