Natalie Matthews

Maryland Zoo

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
246 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

2.0

pieces of plastic cutlery

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

8.0

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Natalie'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 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Bathroom

Say No to "Flushable Wipes"

Wipes don't break down in sewer systems, but combine with fat to create massive clogs. I will find alternatives to using disposable wipes.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Bathroom

See the Green

I will recycle used contact lenses and packaging.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Kitchen

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Family + Pets

Thrifty Pets

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Invest in a Pooper-Scooper

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

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

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Family + Pets

How are caring for your pet and caring for the environment connected for you?
Natalie Matthews 7/04/2023 12:49 PM
Like every other living thing pets produce waste. By keeping your pets environment clean it will keep them a lot healthier, as well as the environment. Using reusable items to clean up the waste, you would only help the environment but also save money

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Family + Pets

In what ways is supplying your pet with all natural pet toys better for your pet, better for you, and better for the environment?
Natalie Matthews 7/04/2023 12:46 PM
Many pet toys contain chemical dyes which can harm pets when they wear down overtime from use, these pet toys also affect the environment because lots of them get sent to landfills. Using natural toys that won’t harm dogs or the environment is better.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Family + Pets

How does buying used differ from buying new? How does each purchasing decision make you feel?
Natalie Matthews 7/04/2023 12:42 PM
Not only does buying used make me feel better about putting a purpose to old things but I also save lots of money, at goodwill not only have I bought clothes but I have also bought countless of pet products like food bowls, toys, and even fish tanks and decorations, which have saved me hundreds of dollars

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Bathroom

Take a moment to estimate how many disposable daily contacts you may have used over the years. What would be your impact now of switching to a contact brand with a longer lifespan?
Natalie Matthews 7/04/2023 12:37 PM
I use single use contacts and I had no idea I was able to recycle them. I have been using contacts for years so switching to contacts that will last me longer could be a lot better than just recycling my single use ones

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Bathroom

Even though they are marketed as "flushable," disposable wipes do not disintegrate in water or the sewer system, and actually release microplastics into our waterways. How does it feel to learn this information? What do you want to do about it?
Natalie Matthews 7/04/2023 12:34 PM
It is disappointing to know that the marketing they use for this product is a lie, I hope that they can find a way to create wipes that can actually be flushed

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Kitchen

How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?
Natalie Matthews 7/04/2023 12:30 PM
This challenge was very easy because I am in England currently and they don’t use plastic bags so you either purchase a reusable bag from whatever store you are at or bring one, which we always do

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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?
Natalie Matthews 7/03/2023 2:37 AM
I spend less money because I can just reuse the things that I already have

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