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Katy Runnells's avatar

Katy Runnells

Reid Park Zoo

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,242 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    3.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    36
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    82
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    107
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    66
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill

Katy's actions

Personal Care

See the Green

I will recycle used contact lenses and packaging.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Go Strawless

I will keep 3 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Advocate for Office Reusables

I will lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Fill a Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Better Gum

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

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 30
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 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Cook a Plastic Free Meal

I will prepare meals at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

COMPLETED 28
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Skip Plastic Bags

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

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 31
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

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?


  • Katy Runnells's avatar
    Katy Runnells 8/01/2022 1:51 PM
    A lot of the plastic free challenges are things I already do but I learned about some other ways I can incorporate as well! 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Choose Reusable Food Storage
    How can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?

    Katy Runnells's avatar
    Katy Runnells 7/23/2022 5:39 AM
    We have a lot of glass Tupperware as well as reusable ‘ziplock’ bags 
  • 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?

    Katy Runnells's avatar
    Katy Runnells 7/23/2022 5:38 AM
    We switched to buying meat at the meat counter. This eliminates the styrofoam and the plastic wrap! 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Better Gum
    Why do you chew gum? What habits could replace and meet your reasons for chewing gum?

    Katy Runnells's avatar
    Katy Runnells 7/23/2022 5:38 AM
    Giving up gum was pretty easy for me and the more I’ve noticed a LoT of people have given up gum for various reasons 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Lifestyle Ditch Dryer Sheets
    Often, single-use and disposable products don't just create more trash - they also contain toxins that are bad for humans. What are some other single-use items that are harmful to humans?

    Katy Runnells's avatar
    Katy Runnells 7/23/2022 5:24 AM
    Using essential oils on your wool dryer balls helps get a fresh scent! 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Fill a Water Bottle
    Using the links provided, investigate the bottling practices of water corporations. There have been many cases where the water rights of the local people have been violated or even completely disregarded when a corporation decides to bottle water from a particular water source. How can you advocate for those who have been harmed by this bottling process?

    Katy Runnells's avatar
    Katy Runnells 7/22/2022 4:39 PM
    Having access to water fill stations at work is very helpful 
  • 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?

    Katy Runnells's avatar
    Katy Runnells 7/22/2022 4:38 PM
    Reusable mugs not only help reduce waste they keep your beverage cool/hot for longer 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Go Strawless
    Have you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.

    Katy Runnells's avatar
    Katy Runnells 7/22/2022 4:38 PM
    I have metal straws in my house as well as my car. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Skip Plastic Bags
    How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?

    Katy Runnells's avatar
    Katy Runnells 7/22/2022 4:37 PM
    Always keep reusable bags in the trunk of my car so no matter where I go I have them with me! 

  • Katy Runnells's avatar
    Katy Runnells 7/15/2022 11:32 AM
    it’s Arctic sea ice day! Help keep plastics out of the oceans!