Brigid Charest

Zoo New England

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,138 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

22

advocacy actions

completed
UP TO

22

conversations

with people
UP TO

20

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

5.0

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

30

pieces of litter

picked up
UP TO

64

pieces of plastic cutlery

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

53

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Brigid's actions

Food

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 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Advocate For Better Food Packaging

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusable Utensils

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

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Family

Plastic Free Lunch Boxes

I will only pack reusable cutlery, drinkware and tupperware-like containers in my children's lunches to reduce plastic waste.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Lifestyle

Ditch Dryer Sheets

I will use wool dryer balls or another plastic-free alternative to dryer sheets to keep my clothes static-free.

COMPLETED 24
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

UNCOMPLETED
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 24
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Keep My Community Clean

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

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Practice Sustainable Fashion

I will spend 20 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, 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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Minimize Packaging

With the added mindfulness of reducing your packaging, what have you noticed about the amount and type of single use plastics used for packaging when you shop in the grocery store?

Brigid Charest 7/31/2022 5:44 AM

It's alarming how much unnecessary plastic is used in the produce section alone. I try to set an example with my reusable mesh produce bags, and was encouraged on a recent grocery run when someone asked me how well they worked - hopefully I convinced them to make the switch.

Read More
- Claudia Zimmermann 7/31/2022 6:34 AM
  
  I am pretty sure that you have helped them to reflect their own habit.
  
  Read More
Brigid Charest 7/29/2022 7:37 AM

Only a few days left of July! Let's finish strong - keep up your plastic free habits, or challenge yourself over the weekend. Go team ZNE!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Learn about Plastic Production

What did you learn about how plastic production impacts humans, animals, communities, and the environment? Which of these impacts specifically affects your community?

Brigid Charest 7/29/2022 5:54 AM

From what I've been reading, plastic isn't just a problem once we try to (responsibly) dispose of it. Plastic poses a threat to humans, animals and our planet at every phase of it's production. Most plastic comes from fossil fuels, and extracting the oil and gas releases toxic substances into our air and water.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use a Reusable Mug

Since the restrictions that COVID-19 has required of our society, trying to use your own cup might present new barriers, as well as new opportunities for creative problem solving. How were you able to achieve success on this action? How can you make it a long-term habit?

Brigid Charest 7/27/2022 7:05 AM

Drinking from my favorite mug helps maintain a sense of normalcy, despite all the unknown the pandemic has brought. As long as the mug is clean, I don't think this would be a problem for baristas.

Read More
- Debra Lee Norton Wear 7/30/2022 7:13 PM
  
  I try to bring a mug when I volunteer at the aquarium n I am going to try to make it a habit to bring one to school too when I’m teaching
  
  Read More
Brigid Charest 7/20/2022 8:26 AM

Remember to take advantage of farmers markets! They're a great way to support local farmers AND reduce plastic waste. Most of the goods at farmers markets don't have any commercial packaging, and your food isn't traveling nearly as far, so you're helping reduce greenhouse gases. Plus, it's the freshest food to eat - a win win!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Advocate For Better Food Packaging

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?

Brigid Charest 7/19/2022 9:02 AM

I'd encourage them to do research, or pull up facts/articles to share with them. I'd mention that it's easy to start using less plastic and that small steps add up to a real change.

Read More
Brigid Charest 7/15/2022 1:07 PM

Hi, Team ZNE! Just wanted to check in since we're halfway through July. How are you feeling about the challenge so far? Have you learned anything, or discovered new habits? Thank you for all your work so far!

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?

Brigid Charest 7/14/2022 9:07 AM

Buy quality garments that stand the test of time instead of cheap items that end up in the trash a few months after buying them. Shop at thrift stores. Mend well-loved items (or take them to someone who can) instead of throwing them out. Learn to sew so your wardrobe can reflect your creativity.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use Reusable Utensils

How can you be an advocate for using reusables instead of disposables for the rest of your community? Where are they currently dependent on disposable food packaging or eating utensils, and how can you convince them of the need for change?

Brigid Charest 7/12/2022 7:18 AM

A lot of people think of plastic as a necessary evil, but that's an excuse for a lot of these things. Reusable cutlery, water bottles and bags are an easy way to start, which is key when convincing people that it won't negatively impact their current routines.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Say No to Styrofoam

How might styrofoam be an environmental justice and/or environmental racism issue in your community?

Brigid Charest 7/10/2022 7:57 AM

BIPOC communities have typically been targeted as places where it is acceptable to dump trash. This brings a lot of health problems for the residents, who might have no idea of what's going on, or are being lied to or manipulated by the corporations that dump the trash near them.

Read More