Douglas Richter

Maryland Zoo

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
471 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

100

pieces of litter

picked up
UP TO

7.0

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Douglas's 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 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Cook a Plastic Free Meal

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

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Bathroom

See the Green

I will recycle used contact lenses and packaging.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 20 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Plant a Garden

I will plant an herb or vegetable garden using as little plastic as possible and to save from the plastic used buying herbs and veggies.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

How does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?
Douglas Richter 7/21/2023 1:13 PM
I pick up whatever I see while I am walking the grounds. In five miles worth of walking yesterday I was only able to scoop 11 pieces. Kudos to the custodial team!

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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?
Douglas Richter 7/03/2023 6:37 AM
I used to wear longer lasting contacts but had a lot of issues and won't be going back. I will however start recycling the trays they come in. I did not know that this was a thing.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Kitchen

Take time to reflect or meditate over your plastic-free cup of tea. Share your thoughts and reflections with us here!
Douglas Richter 7/02/2023 7:02 AM
Green tea is great in the afternoon

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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?
Douglas Richter 7/01/2023 7:16 AM
Eating plastic free is nearly impossible these days. Buying from the deli case avoids additional plastic, but even the meat you buy from the deli case came in a plastic cryovac sleeve (beef/pork) or in plastic tubs (fish). At least the fish tubs get reused. Chicken comes in boxes but is in plastic bags inside the box. Goods in jars still have plastic for the lid seal and cans are lined with plastic. Many boxed items either have a plastic viewing window (pasta...and it's so pointless!!) or comes in a plastic bag inside the box. Fresh fruits and veggies are about the only way to avoid plastic completely unless you are going to grow/raise your own food.

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