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Welcome to Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2023!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2023 expert in no time!

Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums
Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2023
July 1 - July 31, 2023
John Shaffer's avatar

John Shaffer

Maryland Zoo

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 760 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    137
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    28
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill

John's actions

Kitchen

Swap the Snacks

I will swap out 2 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 10 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 11
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.

UNCOMPLETED
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.

UNCOMPLETED
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

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

Participant Feed

  • John Shaffer's avatar
    John Shaffer 7/27/2023 10:39 PM
    Was going through some things around the house today and noted how amazing it was that in less than two generations we have gone from virtually no plastics to plastic dependent...but then I'm a senior who remembers when we use to return empty glass milk and soda bottles back to the store for refunds.
    Read More
  • John Shaffer's avatar
    John Shaffer 7/25/2023 8:28 PM
    Weather must be keeping the litter bugs away, had a hard time meeting my pick-up goal on the dog walk...an observation, not a complaint.
    Read More
    • Mary Hanks's avatar
      Mary Hanks 7/25/2023 8:50 PM
      I see the lack of litter as a good thing! I'll bet other folks have noticed your efforts and are becoming more conscientious about not littering. They may even be following your good example and be out picking up litter themselves!
      Read More
  • John Shaffer's avatar
    John Shaffer 7/23/2023 8:09 PM
    Dog and I walked another local park today. Little kids' playground was littered with water bottles and juice boxes and not one parent was making any effort to pick anything up...how will the kids learn?
    Read More
  • John Shaffer's avatar
    John Shaffer 7/16/2023 8:36 PM
    Went to a different neighborhood park today to walk the dog. Folks there must think that waste and recycling containers are only "suggestions". Easily met my pick-up goal there.
    Read More
  • John Shaffer's avatar
    John Shaffer 7/14/2023 8:06 PM
    Made me proud today, owner of an Italian restaurant we frequent actually remembered that we do not use plastic straws - progress!
    Read More
  • John Shaffer's avatar
    John Shaffer 7/12/2023 8:53 PM
    Used no plastic at all - skipping meat at dinner eliminated the last bit of plastic associated with my meals today.
    Read More
    • Joanna Caputa's avatar
      Joanna Caputa 7/17/2023 8:20 AM
      I aspire to your level of diligence in ridding our family of plastic use.
      Read More
  • John Shaffer's avatar
    John Shaffer 7/11/2023 8:43 PM
    On a non-plastic but eco-friendly note - we found 4 families who could use the bicycles we found in our garage. 5 bicycles that went for reuse at a great price - FREE! We were glad they could make use of them. More to follow...
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Family + Pets
    How does buying used differ from buying new? How does each purchasing decision make you feel?
    John Shaffer's avatar
    John Shaffer 7/10/2023 8:42 PM
    Reduce/Reuse at it's best. I didn't have to buy anything for our anticipated new kitten - neighbor gave us an unused litter box, carrier, even unopened packages of cat litter. She found that she didn't need them and was kind enough to give them to us. Saved us money and kept usable items out of the landfill - win/win!
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen
    How does swapping out prepackaged snacks for fresh fruit or veggies benefit your family?
    John Shaffer's avatar
    John Shaffer 7/09/2023 8:57 PM
    The fresh fruit and veggies are certainly better for them and in-season, they certainly are tasty!
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    How does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?
    John Shaffer's avatar
    John Shaffer 7/09/2023 8:54 PM
    Makes the park a cleaner place, sets an example for others who might be inclined to do the same, and gets the kids thinking about how they can help.
    Read More