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Welcome to Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2022!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2022 expert in no time!

Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums
Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2022
July 1 - July 31, 2022
Bev Larson's avatar

Bev Larson

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

"To reduce the amount of one-time use plastic I purchase. "

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 938 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    2.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    45
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    40
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    73
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill

Bev's actions

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 3 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Dig into Bioplastics

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 3 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Natural Fibers

When available, I will purchase clothing made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Proper Bioplastic Disposal

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 5 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Food

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 24
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 18
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?

  • Bev Larson's avatar
    Bev Larson 7/27/2022 9:29 PM
    I joined because I wanted to support the team. My personal goal was to reduce the amount of single use plastic in/for our home. I was already pretty good at that but I had gotten away from taking reusable bags to the grocery during the pandemic because we weren’t allowed to do that. I’m back on track. Still working on convincing my husband not to use single use plastic bags. But when they’re gone I’m not buying more! 
    Read More
  • Bev Larson's avatar
    Bev Larson 7/26/2022 5:59 PM
    It was a busy day. Volunteered at the Zoo, bought a replacement for our 22year old dishwasher, bought a few things at Barnes and Noble (skipped the bag, of course) and picked up sandwiches at Donatos, watched the Zoo CE on Zoom. That is all. Good night. 
    Read More
  • Bev Larson's avatar
    Bev Larson 7/22/2022 7:33 PM
    I’m trying to convince my husband that we don’t need two trash cans (each with a plastic garbage bag) in our kitchen. We recycle everything we can and we compost most food scraps. The small amount of actual trash easily fits in one bag. He’s not convinced. 
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Lifestyle Natural Fibers
    What are the benefits (to people, animals, and the environment) of purchasing clothes made with natural fibers?
    Bev Larson's avatar
    Bev Larson 7/19/2022 3:36 PM
    I rarely buy clothes anymore but I did buy a cute blouse two weeks ago, 100% cotton. Bonus, it was on sale and I had a $10 off coupon for my birthday so it cost only $13. Cotton is a natural fiber but not without its drawbacks for the environment. I will look for hemp next time. 
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Keep My Community Clean
    How does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?
    Bev Larson's avatar
    Bev Larson 7/19/2022 3:31 PM
    OK, the trash was at my house. But still….
    Read More
  • Bev Larson's avatar
    Bev Larson 7/18/2022 4:04 PM
    Is it’s a “fail” if I buy a rotisserie chicken and pastry that are sold in hard plastic shells? And last week I bought a large plastic tub of  mixed salad greens. I can repurpose that to grow plants, but the things I bought today will go in the landfill. Sigh.
    Read More
    • Bev Larson's avatar
      Bev Larson 7/18/2022 11:18 PM
      Thank you for the encouraging words; Krytina. 

      Read More
    • Krystina Jarvis's avatar
      Krystina Jarvis 7/18/2022 9:42 PM
      I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as "failing." It is not possible to be 100% plastic-free at all times every day. Our society just isn't set up that way. Some things you just cannot find without plastic. And that's okay! As long as you're doing what you can, when you can, where you can, that's what's important.

      And, thinking about the rotisserie chicken, think about how many meals you can get out of one chicken. That's a great way to reduce waste right there! And then can you make broth from the bones? Even if you don't need it right away you can freeze it for when you do need it! Save a few chicken broth cartons too :)

      No failures here, Bev 💙 You're doing great.
      Read More
  • Bev Larson's avatar
    Bev Larson 7/18/2022 6:57 AM
    I use Norwex’s microfiber cloths instead of paper towels for cleaning. I thought I was doing a really good thing but I’m not so sure because they are made of plastic and they “shed” tiny  particles that end up in our oceans. I just did some research but I’m still not sure what’s best. Feeling discouraged! 
    Read More
    • Bev Larson's avatar
      Bev Larson 7/18/2022 12:41 PM
      Krystina. I read about the microfiber catching things on your blog last night. The bag is very expensive and the ball seems to be a replacement for detergent. (That’s the impression I got. Maybe there is another one.) I’m trying to help save the planet but I feel very limited. 
      Read More
    • Krystina Jarvis's avatar
      Krystina Jarvis 7/18/2022 12:08 PM
      Have you heard of Swedish dishcloths? They're made of cotton and cellulose and they're basically what you'd get if a sponge and a paper towel had a baby. I use them for everything - washing dishes, wiping down counters, cleaning my bathroom, dusting...you name it. 

      There are also microfiber catching tools you can get that trap shedded microfibers from synthetic fabrics. I have a Guppyfriend bag and use it for my microfiber cloths but I've also heard the Coraball works well too!
      Read More
  • Bev Larson's avatar
    Bev Larson 7/16/2022 8:19 PM
    I rescued some small glass spice jars (with plastic lids) that my husband had put in the recycling bin. I’m sure that I will find a great use for them. 
    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.
    Bev Larson's avatar
    Bev Larson 7/13/2022 8:51 PM
    I’m not very hopeful about this. Bio plastics aren’t easy to recycle. 
    Read More
  • Bev Larson's avatar
    Bev Larson 7/11/2022 10:00 AM
    I joined because I am looking for more ways to reduce the use of one time use plastics in our home. 
    Read More