Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2022

July 1 - July 31, 2022

Ginni La Rosa-Ponsini

National Aquarium

"I am taking steps to reduce my waste, and I am excited to learn about new ideas and alternatives as well!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,645 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

40

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

80

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

78

pieces of plastic cutlery

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

36

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

63

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

25

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill

Ginni'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 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Sustainable Suds

I will replace my soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions with a sustainable, unpackaged, or refillable option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Become a Recycling Pro

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 15 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Fill a Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

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 23
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

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 19
DAILY ACTIONS

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

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Say No to "Flushable Wipes"

Wipes don't break down in sewer systems, but combine with fat to create massive clogs. I will find alternatives to using disposable wipes.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Food

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 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 3 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Lifestyle

Travel Toiletries

If traveling, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me in a TSA-approved reusable quart-sized bag.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

A Sustainable Flow

I will make the switch to sustainable, reusable period products.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Eco Deodorant

I will switch to a plastic-free deodorant — whether purchased or DIY'd.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Use Reusables at Work

I will use reusable dishes and silverware when eating at work.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

Ginni La Rosa-Ponsini 7/31/2022 6:57 PM

I am so glad I have rejoined this community and have taken part for the full month! Being here has motivated me to continue finding ways to reduce my waste year-round and helps me recognize the impact that each of us can have.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Become a Recycling Pro

What have you learned about what is accepted by local haulers for recycling, what you can drop off or ship to certain places, and what is not recyclable in your area? What is the most difficult part of recycling for you?

Ginni La Rosa-Ponsini 7/31/2022 10:53 AM

For some reason I thought that lids and caps needed to be separate from the containers placed in the recycling bin (I always make sure to clean containers thoroughly), but my county's website states that the lids stay on. I also learned about the variety of additional items that cannot be collected curbside but can be taken to a county recycling center. This has been a great way to learn more about my county's resources! My main struggle is knowing that only a small percentage of recyclable plastic is actually recycled. This is why reducing our plastic waste is so crucial!

Read More
Ginni La Rosa-Ponsini 7/30/2022 7:14 PM

I have enjoyed rethinking my habits this month and realizing how many swaps are so easy to make. Instead of drying off washed produce with a paper towel, I can simply use one of my many kitchen towels or rags and put it in the next load of laundry. I want to challenge myself and reduce my reliance on paper towels in addition to plastic items!

Read More
Ginni La Rosa-Ponsini 7/29/2022 7:47 PM

Can't believe we are near the end of Plastic-Free July! I have greatly enjoyed being part of this project and this incredibly supportive community. I will truly miss checking in and being inspired by everyone else's actions and ideas...

Read More
Ginni La Rosa-Ponsini 7/28/2022 7:51 PM

In summer 2020 I was given some handmade neck gaiters by a relative. I never used them since I felt more comfortable (and protected) with face masks instead. The gaiters sat in my dresser drawer, and I had no idea what to do with them. Then I realized they could work as small carrying bags for extra items such as my metal straws, which are too long to fit in my travel utensil pouches. I grabbed my sewing kit and sewed up one end of each gaiter and voila! new multi-purpose carrying bags! Here's to discovering new uses for things!

Read More
Ginni La Rosa-Ponsini 7/27/2022 7:59 PM

After last year's zucchini plants succumbing to a fungus, I was finally able to successfully harvest some squashes from my garden this summer! I sliced them up and sautéed them with sweet onions- delicious!

Read More
Ginni La Rosa-Ponsini 7/26/2022 7:01 PM

Now that I live in a house with a backyard, I am so grateful that I can put our food scraps in our composting tumbler! I feel so relieved knowing that we are putting much less organic matter into our landfills. The finished compost is then added to our raised garden beds, so it can grow more veggies and herbs! I need to find out more about the seemingly biodegradable carry-out containers, such as the bowls from Chipotle and Qdoba, and whether those can be home composted as well.

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?

Ginni La Rosa-Ponsini 7/26/2022 6:48 PM

There are many fast food restaurants near my workplace, and most of them carry plastic disposable utensils. I bring my set of reusable travel utensils with my lunch to work every day, and my goal is to keep a set of utensils with me wherever I go. By setting an example, I hope I can start conversations about plastic waste when I take out my utensils. I will start with friends and family, and hopefully the impact will ripple out into their communities as well!

Read More
Ginni La Rosa-Ponsini 7/25/2022 8:02 PM

After years of using disappointing disposable razors, I have finally decided to invest in a steel safety razor with replaceable blades! It will take some time to get used to using this type of razor, but from what I have seen from reviews it should be a rewarding swap. Even better, the company that makes this razor (Albatross Designs) takes back the used razor blades in the mail and upcycles them into reusable utensil sets!

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?

Ginni La Rosa-Ponsini 7/24/2022 5:25 PM

I hope that I can be an example to friends and family by trying to reduce my purchase of packaged items when possible and bringing my reusables with me as often as I can. I want to learn more about where my community's waste goes since there is no such thing as "away;" it often has the greatest impact on the most vulnerable communities. By reducing our packaging waste, we can contribute less to landfills and to the oceans.

Read More