Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2023

July 1 - July 31, 2023

Ally Maye-Bloom

Detroit Zoological Society

"Be Kind. Live Kind."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
940 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

community event

hosted or attended
UP TO

1.0

advocacy action

completed
UP TO

12

public officials or leaders

contacted
UP TO

13

conversations

with people
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

71

pieces of litter

picked up
UP TO

7.0

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

135

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

waste audit

conducted

Ally's actions

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Advocate for Office Reusables

I will lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Natural Paints

I will paint rooms in my home with low/no VOC or natural paints.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Homemade Pet Treats

I will prepare my own pet treats to avoid plastic packaging.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Family + Pets

Sustainable Suds: Pet Edition

I will replace my pet's shampoo with an eco-friendly shampoo bar or refillable shampoo option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Dig into Bioplastics

I will spend at least 90 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 10 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 5 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Write Letters, Emails or Sign Petitions

I will write or sign 1 letters, emails or petitions per day to advocate for plastic-free or planet-friendly policies.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Research Local Waste Sites

I will spend 60 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

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

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

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 30 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Get Rid of Glitter

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

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Tour A Waste Management Facility

I will spend at least 60 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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Join a Cleanup Effort

I will host or participate in a beach, highway, river, or other cleanup effort in my community.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Raise Money For a Nonprofit

I will raise money to support a nonprofit dedicated to plastic pollution reduction.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Donate Zero Waste Period Products

I will donate 10 zero waste period kits to young people with periods so that they can reduce their waste and the financial burden of menstruation while continuing their education.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Advocate For Better Food Packaging

I will advocate for alternatives to single use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, or work.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Share My Actions

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

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Host a Watch Party

I will host a watch party with friends and/or colleagues to watch and discuss a movie about plastics.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Advocate for Plastic-Free Dining

I will talk to the owner or manager of a restaurant I frequent to request that they reduce their use of single-use and disposable plastics.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME 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

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

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

Rubber Glove Pet Hair Removal

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

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Pick Up the Phone

I will make 1 phone call(s) per day to a public official or company to advocate for planet-friendly policies.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Ally Maye-Bloom 7/03/2023 8:12 AM
So far, 2023 is going well! Having a home where I can compost and do some larger environmental projects is amazing!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

What was your strategy in talking with your favorite restaurant's management? Did you find it to be effective?
Ally Maye-Bloom 7/03/2023 8:11 AM
I first built a repour with the restaurant. They know that I come in often, put my left overs in reusable tubs and order vegan options. One day, when I was visiting I had a plan to ask for the management at the end of the meal. I first told them all the wonderful things that I saw they were doing. Then I asked them if they had considered using a different method for take out. They said they had but not been able to get very far in that regard. I told them I totally understand and let them know of a few alternatives we use at the zoo that might work for them. I found that since they knew me and I approached it with genuine interest and not like they did anything wrong, it was well received. They took down the names of the alternatives and said that they would bring it up at their next meeting! It is scary to have these conversations, but it is sometimes just the push that someone else needs to advocate for the changes they wanted in their company for a while.

Read More
- Stephen Vrla 7/08/2023 8:41 AM
  That's awesome that you were able to have a conversation with them about alternatives!
  
  Read More
- Sam Peterson 7/03/2023 8:39 AM
  I think you nailed it! Framing it like you know they're trying to do the right thing and offering resources and advice is the way to go. Great job!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

What are some of the cases you could make to an employer for why switching to durable dishes and utensils is actually in their best interest as well?
Ally Maye-Bloom 7/03/2023 8:05 AM
As an AZA and environmentally conscious non-profit, our actions can inspire change in the local community as well. If the public see us, the staff, engaging in small things like using reusable dishware and composting, it normalizes it to them. It can also spark a conversation with individuals who are less knowledgeable about the current ways to be more eco-conscious.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

Single use plastics have become normalized in our society to the point that most people don't see them as a problem. What would you say to a friend, colleague, or family member who may not understand why these disposables are an issue?
Ally Maye-Bloom 7/03/2023 8:03 AM
I would ask them why they feel the need to use single use over reusable options. Sometimes, capitalism makes disposables necessary and that should not be shamed, but in cases that we can make a difference and use reusable options, why would we not? I would encourage them to not go "cold turkey" with their current lifestyle but pick one thing at a time to switch out of using. That way, they are slowly and intentionally making the move to a more eco neutral state of living.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Family + Pets

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.
Ally Maye-Bloom 7/03/2023 7:57 AM
What concerns me the most is the shift of blame onto the consumer and local communities being affected instead of holding the larger corporations and legislators accountable. The further we shift into an "its our fault and need to live zero waste" mindset, the more we are losing sight on the larger issue and solving the climate crisis for EVERYONE.

Read More
- Krystina Jarvis 7/03/2023 9:47 AM
  Oof, yes. Corporations are doing a GREAT job of keeping the blame off of themselves. It doesn't mean that individuals can't do anything, but we do need both bottom-up (consumer) change AND top-down (government and corporation) change to see the lasting impacts we're aiming for.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

How does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?
Ally Maye-Bloom 7/03/2023 6:56 AM
Picking up litter makes you appreciate all the hidden work that goes into your community. You also get more in tune with the areas around you and get to see the types of trash that normally end up littered in your area. This can further help to advocate for those spaces and those that may be without housing in that area.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Family + Pets

How could you reduce your waste even further (i.e. by making pet treats out of kitchen scraps or about-to-go-bad produce)?
Ally Maye-Bloom 7/03/2023 6:51 AM
My cat is very particular about what they eat, and I do not consume meat on my own. To further reduce my waste, I can continue to compost all of our food scraps, make food scrap "bacon" and broth, and be on the look out for other inventive ways.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

Have you noticed a difference in how your community, friends, and family members use plastics since you've shared your own actions?
Ally Maye-Bloom 7/03/2023 6:49 AM
My mother and friends often use the phrase "what would Ally do". I find this to be funny and also heart warming. They are not perfect in their actions but they are trying their best and I can be that influential figure to them. I also share with them when I am wrong or something in environmental practices have changed. It is important to be a proponent of the environment and not just how being an environmentalist makes you look to others.

Read More
- Krystina Jarvis 7/03/2023 7:37 AM
  This is awesome!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Family + Pets

We know you want to - tell us about why your pet is so awesome!
Ally Maye-Bloom 7/03/2023 6:45 AM
Sir is the best cat around. He is a big cuddle bug but also knows his limits. I appreciate that he has his own boundaries and is not afraid to tell others what he does and does now want. He is also an ADORABLE fluff ball.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

What do all of us have in common, regardless of politics, race, religion, occupation, or place we live? How can finding common ground help us as a society and as a species?
Ally Maye-Bloom 7/03/2023 6:44 AM
Regardless of a lot of things we still crave the same human instincts to be loved, to be safe and to have access to resources. By breaking down what things we NEED, we can further disrupt the capitalist narrative that we are all fed. By allowing us all to see that at the end of the day we crave the same things, we can advocate for safer spaces and rights.

Read More