Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2023

July 1 - July 31, 2023

Emily Slagle

"A wise frog once said, "It's not that easy being green". While it might not be easy at first, I think having the proper knowledge and a little support makes all the difference! Let's work together to make going green a little easier :) "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,096 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

40

pieces of plastic cutlery

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

13

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

30

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

67

pieces of litter

picked up
UP TO

69

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

140

minutes

spent learning

Emily's actions

Kitchen

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Use a Reusable Mug

If possible, I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own travel cup.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Go Strawless

I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY 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 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 1 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Better Gum

I will give up gum or choose gum made from chicle or other plastic-free gum bases.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Choose Reusable Food Storage

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

COMPLETED 25
DAILY 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

Family + Pets

Balloons Blow

Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 30 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 1 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Study

Numbers Everywhere

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.

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Practice Sustainable Fashion

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

REFLECTION QUESTION
Kitchen

How can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?
Emily Slagle 7/30/2023 7:05 PM
Growing up my family would often use plastic bags to store leftovers in. I am glad that for the most part we have moved away from this, however, sometimes I still have to remind my parents not to use them unless it's a last resort. I understand that they are convenient, and it makes clean up easier since you don't have dishes to wash once the food is finished but it creates so much waste that it's worth having a few extra dishes to clean instead.
Normally if my family orders takeout that comes in plastic containers, we will save these and use them for food storage so that we can get at least a few more uses out of them before recycling them. They are also really great for sending gusts home with leftover because you don't have to worry about getting your containers back.
Obviously reducing plastic waste is best and having sturdy, long lasting glass/ceramic food containers is better, but we all inevitable end up with some drawer or cabinet filled with misc takeout containers so it's good to get as much use out of them as we can!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Kitchen

Why do you chew gum? What habits could replace and meet your reasons for chewing gum?
Emily Slagle 7/30/2023 6:47 PM
Surprisingly not chewing gum was one of the bigger challenges for me during this month. I enjoy chewing gum for the minty flavor after lunch or sometimes as a way to keep me occupied when I get bored or tired.
While some days I really just want the specific niche that chewing gum fills, for the most part I was able to switch to mints instead. I miss having the longevity of gum, but I do enjoy the crunch of a good mint!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Bedroom

How can you express your personality, creativity, and values in ways that don't require fast fashion or buying more clothes and accessories?
Emily Slagle 7/21/2023 3:13 PM
A few ways that we can express ourselves without buying more things would be:

1) Get creative in how you style or layer the clothes you already own. Sometimes switching up how you use an item can make you see it in a whole new light! I know that I have gone from just sort of liking a shirt to loving it when paired with the right other clothes. Don’t be afraid to try all different types of pairing because something that might not seem like it will work could actually look really good together! And if it doesn’t, no harm is done.

2) Do a clothing swap/share clothes with friends and family. Whenever someone I know is planning to donate clothes I love to “shop” for my friends and family as well when I’m looking through for myself. If there is something that I think someone else would like, I’ll either send them a picture of it or just keep it to the side until the next time I see them. If they don’t want it, then I take it to be donated. However, I think it’s always better to share clothes with people you know rather than donating to a thrift store since you know it will be worn. While thrift stores are a great option to find affordable clothing that isn’t fast fashion, in my opinion donating clothes there is almost like wish recycling. While some of the items do in fact get used, a lot of donated clothes just end up being tossed or negatively impacting the economy of other countries. We donate in the hope that it will actually be used by other people and because it makes us feel better than throwing it away but in reality, a lot of the clothes being donated are in poor condition or not something that would sell so these stores don’t even bother putting them on the rack.

3) Make your own accessories with items laying around the house. Or, if you know how to sew repurpose old sheets/fabric into a one-of-a-kind clothing item.

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- Krystina Jarvis 7/21/2023 9:16 PM
  I love when my friends are getting rid of clothes :) I haven't bought new clothes in years thanks to them lol
  
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Emily Slagle 7/20/2023 5:50 PM
Anyone else thinking about how much Barbie symbolizes in our society? Gotta say her “life in plastic” looks a little different from mine…
Planning to go see the movie this weekend and I will definitely be on the lookout for any self-aware references on the matter!

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- Allyson Coleman 7/22/2023 7:50 AM
  I do want to see that, I look forward to hearing if you liked it!
  
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- Lauren Barczak 7/21/2023 7:42 AM
  I saw Barbie last night and have to say I totally loved it - there were a few references to how barbie (and plastic in general) has been harmful to the environment which honestly was a pleasant surprise (especially since the movie was made in part by Mattel themselves!) We snuck in cookies in a reusable silicone bag instead of a single use plastic one. Enjoy the movie!!! Let me know if you end up loving it as much as I did.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Study

How has learning about the history of single-use plastic shifted your mindset on plastics and their function within society?
Emily Slagle 7/20/2023 5:22 PM
I was fascinated to learn about the origins of plastic. I knew that plastic was a relatively new development in our society, but I had no idea that its creation stemmed from needing an alternative for Ivory billiard balls! I also find the dichotomy of plastics to be a great reminder that these issues are not always black and white. While it is obvious that we need to work towards reducing our plastic waste we must also remember that one of the purposes for continuing to develop plastic was to make items more accessible. Items that would otherwise be unaffordable are able to be enjoyed by numerous people now because plastic makes it so much cheaper to make. Plastic is also very versatile! It can be used to make so many things, but it’s this very feature of versatility that makes plastic so dangerous. It’s hard to imagine that a material that was developed only years ago to replace a single item is now so common it’s almost easier to make a list of things that don’t contain plastic rather than ones that do! We have our work cut out for us on this journey to cut back on plastics, however, I also know that people are smart and resilient. We have the capability to create a more sustainable (while still being affordable) alternative.

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- Jennifer Klotz 7/20/2023 5:41 PM
  It IS fascinating isn't it?! The learning challenges from PFJ a few years ago are the reason I've become such a nut about plastic. They opened my eyes and what really solidified it was the documentary Plastic Wars on Frontline. I recommend EVERYONE watch it because you'll get fired up and want to change, and that's what we need.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Family + Pets

Had you ever considered the environmental impact of balloons before? How can you share this information with your friends and family to encourage them to avoid balloons, too?
Emily Slagle 7/18/2023 4:11 PM
Having worked in wildlife rehab I know all too well the dangers balloons pose to animals and I am no stranger to birds getting caught up in string. It’s very disheartening to grow up and realize something that seemed so unassuming and whimsical as a child could actually be dangerous to humans and animals alike (another example of this is fireworks!). I think it is time we as a society moved away from balloons and fine new and creative ways to celebrate our loved ones.
My friends and family haven’t used balloons in a long time, but if they were to use them, I would suggest alternatives that can be just as fun but more eco-friendly. I particularly like the idea of creating or planting something as a memento so that it can be enjoyed for years to come.

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- Jennifer Klotz 7/18/2023 6:18 PM
  I love your comment as to our innocent image of balloons as a child and the threat we learn they pose in the environment as adults. Great insight Emily!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Study

Were you surprised by what the different plastic identification numbers mean? How can this information help you become a better recycler?
Emily Slagle 7/17/2023 8:35 PM
I have always struggled to know which plastics were recyclable and which weren’t. In recent years I have come to terms with the dangers of wishcycling and learned that if you are unsure if an item is recyclable, it is better to throw it out rather than try to recycle it since this could contaminate the entire bale and cause items that are actually recyclable to be dumped in a landfill.

While I know this is the better option, I still do not feel good about it. That is why (in addition to cutting back on my plastic use) I hope to become more responsible and knowledgeable about what plastics I use. Understanding what the number symbols mean on plastic items will help me to be more conscious when buying items in store. It will also help me to recycle more confidently and with less risk of contamination.

The education center has lots of signage to help direct people on proper recycling. I think this would be very helpful for me to implement something like this at home which is I am considering printing out a cheat sheet with the different numbers and which ones my city accepts to help guide me with this!

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- Jennifer Klotz 7/18/2023 6:15 PM
  Great to hear you've been inspired to make a home version of our signage. As I move around, I have to check in with the local rules because there's definitely no guarantee they'll be the same. This is why many people just throw their hands up and choose to NOT recycle anything. While I understand the frustration and hope rules unify someday, it's important to know it doesn't take long to figure it out. You have to sign up for a waste hauler, so peruse their website for recycling rules- done! Buying less plastic is the best route, but since we can't avoid it entirely, we need to take responsibility to learn proper recycling methods.
  
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