Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2022

July 1 - July 31, 2022

Olivia Beebe

Cleveland Clinic Sustainability

"Trying to create a healthier lifestyle for me and the earth!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,198 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

3.0

advocacy actions

completed
UP TO

6.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

165

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

15

pieces of litter

picked up
UP TO

4.0

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

1.0

waste audit

conducted

Olivia 's actions

Lifestyle

Proper Bioplastic Disposal

I will spend at least 10 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 3 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Green Beauty

When it's time to buy more, I will replace my beauty products with refillable, sustainable, and/or DIY options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Practice Sustainable Fashion

I will spend 15 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Become a Recycling Pro

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 10 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Research Local Waste Sites

I will spend 15 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

Community

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Say No to Styrofoam

Throughout its life cycle, polystyrene (styrofoam) can harm people, communities, and the planet. I will refuse styrofoam whenever I can, making sure to kindly let people know why I'm asking for alternative packaging.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Lifestyle

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

Lifestyle

Travel Eating

If traveling, I will bring my own snacks and meals in my own containers to avoid the waste of take-out containers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family

Plastic Free Lunch for Adults

Pack my lunch with reusable cutlery, napkins, and containers. Adults need to be mindful of their packed lunches too.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Estimate My Plastic Consumption

I will visit the rePurpose website, complete the 3-minute plastic consumption calculator, and explore how I can reBalance my annual plastic footprint.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Keep My Community Clean

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

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Lifestyle

Practice Sustainable Fashion

I will spend 15 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Compost food waste

Make a conscious effort to throw less food waste into the garbage and start composting instead.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Minimize Packaging

I will purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

Olivia Beebe 7/31/2022 2:26 PM

Had so much fun learning and joining such a mindful community! Can’t wait to continue this work and spreading the word!

Read More
Olivia Beebe 7/29/2022 10:48 AM

REI is a great resource for finding active campaigns to help our planet! Lots of cools stuff going on out there.
https://www.rei.com/action/network/climate-action

Read More
Olivia Beebe 7/27/2022 8:20 AM

Found it interesting how bioplastics are processed versus your normal plastics.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle Proper Bioplastic Disposal

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.

Olivia Beebe 7/27/2022 8:14 AM

I don't like the fact that if we don't start making drastic changes, quality of life will begin to decline as the environment continues to decline. We may not see it in our life time but that doesn't mean we can just ignore it. It drives me crazy when people have that kind of attitude because this will impact your family. I don't understand why they would want to safeguard living conditions for future generations. It makes me really sad to think about all the beautiful places around the world that could one day be gone because we didn't do anything to protect the planet.

Read More
Olivia Beebe 7/25/2022 5:46 AM

Day 15 for me here at the Clinic and not only have I learned so much in my new role but through this challenge as well!

Read More
- Emily Katzin 7/25/2022 8:17 AM
  
  Welcome to Cleveland Clinic! We're so glad you've joined the Ecochallenge and that you are learning a lot by participating.
  
  Read More
- Adam Moen 7/25/2022 5:54 AM
  
  That's awesome! I just hit my 90 days not to long ago and I'm loving it. There is a lot of opportunities for things.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Research Local Waste Sites

In what neighborhoods or areas of your region are landfills or other waste sites located? Which communities are most affected by these locations?

Olivia Beebe 7/25/2022 5:43 AM

There is really only one landfill near my home city and it's surrounded by apartment complexes. Everyone living in those apartments will be affected the most, not only do they have to see it and smell it but the toxins and gases emanating from the landfill could have a negative impact on their health.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Personal Care Practice Sustainable Fashion

How can you express your personality, creativity, and values in ways that don't require fast fashion or buying more clothes and accessories?

Olivia Beebe 7/25/2022 5:36 AM

Quality over quantity is always better and it especially applies in this case. Clothing companies who are trying to combat fast fashion offer just as many cute options to expression yourself and it will most likely last longer. You also don't have to buy new. Buying vintage can also be a fun way to express your personality.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle Complete a Waste Audit

What did you learn about the waste you create? Where can you reduce the most?

Olivia Beebe 7/22/2022 9:41 AM

Most of my waste is single use food packaging, like granola bars, from my snacks. I think I can reduce this by switching to snacks that have more eco friendly packaging or make my own. I feel like I did a good job though separating out would could be recycled or repurposed.

Read More
Olivia Beebe 7/22/2022 7:07 AM

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Personal Care Green Beauty

How can you advocate for the importance of reducing packaging to the rest of your friends, family and larger community?

Olivia Beebe 7/22/2022 5:54 AM

I like to talk about how well my changes have worked out and encourage them to try it out. In my friends and family circles most don't want to make the switch just because they don't think it would work as well as their current products. If I can convince them it works then we talk about what a positive impact it will have on the environment.

Read More