Skip to main content
Ann Brunner's avatar

Ann Brunner

L.A. Zoo - Angeleno Plastic Eliminators (APE)

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 593 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    7.0
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    11
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    7.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    86
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    27
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    65
    pieces of litter
    picked up

Ann's actions

Lifestyle

KEEP IT UPCYCLE

Post to our Team APE feed about an item that you "upcycled" or "creatively reused" and thereby avoided consuming plastic associated with buying a new item and having that item sent to you/your area!

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Plant a Garden

I will plant a herb or vegetable garden using as little plastic as possible and to save from the plastic used buying herbs and veggies.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Practice Sustainable Fashion

I will spend 60 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Pearly Whites

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

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

Personal Care

Sustainable Suds

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

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 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Research Local Waste Sites

I will spend 30 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

Share My Actions

I will make my environmental actions visible by posting to my social media networks.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Dig into Bioplastics

I will spend at least 30 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.

UNCOMPLETED
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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Become a Recycling Pro

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 30 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

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 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 10 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 6
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?


  • Ann Brunner's avatar
    Ann Brunner 7/29/2022 2:58 PM
    Did you know that Nespresso's pods are recyclable?  They will give you a bag to send them back to them!  I habe become more and more aware with every purchase I make.  It's almost impossible to go plastic free.  We have to turn this around!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    Besides having access to fresh herbs and vegetables, what benefits will you see from growing your own garden?

    Ann Brunner's avatar
    Ann Brunner 7/22/2022 3:32 PM
    It tastes so much better!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Personal Care
    How can you express your personality, creativity, and values in ways that don't require fast fashion or buying more clothes and accessories?

    Ann Brunner's avatar
    Ann Brunner 7/15/2022 11:37 AM
    I hate to shop so.....my clothes are outdated and the fashion sooner or later comes back to my old clothes.  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Personal Care
    What are the economic and personal benefits of switching to bar soap/shampoo/conditioner or refillable bottle options?

    Ann Brunner's avatar
    Ann Brunner 7/15/2022 11:36 AM
    So many benefits!  Less water used to manufacture products.  Product size is smaller and lighter yet still as effective if not better. Less waste in the landfill and packaging is recyclable.  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Personal Care
    Do some research on the toxic side affects of aluminum deodorant. After reading the side effects, can you think of instances where you may have experienced the side effects from this form of deodorant?

    Ann Brunner's avatar
    Ann Brunner 7/15/2022 11:33 AM
    Side effects can include difficulty in breathing, excessive sweating, itching, swollen lips, face, tongue.  Fortunately,  I have not had any reaction.  However, knowing the side effects, I did change my deodorant to an eco friendly, non aluminum deodorant.  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Personal Care
    Currently most of the packaging for toothpaste is plastic. How can you advocate for more alternatives through your purchasing power and influence in community?

    Ann Brunner's avatar
    Ann Brunner 7/15/2022 11:28 AM
    Recently bought toothpaste tablets in a bottle.  They work great and my mouth feels very clean.   Passing on this new discovery to family and friends!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    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?

    Ann Brunner's avatar
    Ann Brunner 7/14/2022 2:21 PM
    While at a restaurant, I was given a cup for my coke.  I asked if I could use my own reusable water container.  She said Of Course! Hurray! :)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    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?

    Ann Brunner's avatar
    Ann Brunner 7/14/2022 2:19 PM
    The most difficult part for me is that so many of the items have to be put into the trash and are not recyclable.  I wish every magazine, flyer, calendar etc.  would be made out of material that could go into the blue bin.  But sadly, they can't because they have a glossy film on them for instance.  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    How does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?

    Ann Brunner's avatar
    Ann Brunner 7/14/2022 2:12 PM
    There is more and more trash in our neighborhood than ever.  It is up to us to continue to pick up litter no matter where you are.  I also believe that all owners, whether in a home owner or a store owner, that it is the responsibility of that owner to keep their street, curb, and sidewalk clean in front of their property.   We need to tidy up! 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community
    How might styrofoam be an environmental justice and/or environmental racism issue in your community?

    Ann Brunner's avatar
    Ann Brunner 7/14/2022 2:06 PM
    Styrofoam is cheap.  It's widely available at places like Smart and Final.  Mom and Pop restaurants need a better affordability and access solution to get products that fit their budget and help save the environment.