Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2022

July 1 - July 31, 2022

Carolyn Barrett

Maryland Zoo

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
516 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

waste audit

conducted
UP TO

35

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

5.0

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

16

pieces of litter

picked up
UP TO

3.0

pieces of plastic cutlery

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

10

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill

Carolyn's 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 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 7
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 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Share My Actions

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 9
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 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 2 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Buy Only What I Need

I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Lifestyle

Travel Eating

If traveling, I will bring my own snacks and meals in my own containers to avoid the waste of take-out containers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Clean Plate Club

When I need to replace my dish soap, I will switch to a bar or refillable option.

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

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?

Carolyn Barrett 8/01/2022 4:11 AM
I learned a lot and really enjoyed giving this a try. I found actions that I have made habits - using my refillable water bottle, reusable bags at the store (even for produce!), skipping the straw, and I am using glass containers instead of plastic bags for food storage. Lastly, I learned how to make some minor alterations to clothing so I can upcycle my own clothing or used clothing instead of buying new, and it is so much fun! Thanks for the challenge - how did Maryland Zoo finish?

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle

What did you learn about the waste you create? Where can you reduce the most?
Carolyn Barrett 7/29/2022 1:33 PM
I can use less plastic wrap - cover bowls and plates with another plate or a silicone wrap. We eat out a lot, maybe too much. I can stop using the clamshell leftover containers, they are not even recyclable! Bring my own container or just don't bring leftover food home. I don't compost, but I do put as much of my food waste, like vegetable peelings, in the garbage disposal instead of the trash. I've learned the disposal even chews up banana peels.

Read More
Carolyn Barrett 7/23/2022 9:35 AM
Some things have been easier that I expected - for example, reusable food storage solutions and skipping plastic bags. These are just a matter of making the habit, and I'm developing that habit. Some have been harder that I expected, like skipping straws. I forget to ask, or if I ask, the server brings one anyway. I will keep at it, one habit at a time!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle

As you have reduced your spending, what have you noticed about your 'health and safety' purchasing habits? How might this change your longer term purchasing decisions?
Carolyn Barrett 7/22/2022 3:41 AM
I buy too many products that do the same thing, or similar. I am consolidating and trying out one product for multiple purposes. I am also looking for products that minimize packaging, as some products come in a plastic jar with a box around it - I'll look for the products that come in a single container.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

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?
Carolyn Barrett 7/22/2022 3:38 AM
Gosh, it's everywhere and on or around everything. Even the tiny UPC labels on individual pieces of fruit are plastic. I do the best I can. I am lucky to have a store nearby that sells a lot of food in bulk bins, stuff like nuts, beans, dried fruit, grains. They also let me bring in my own container for fresh-ground peanut butter.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle

How easy was this swap for you? Did you have any concerns before making it?
Carolyn Barrett 7/19/2022 4:37 AM
I went with refillable, there doesn't seem to be a good homemade substitute for dish detergent that will cut the grease. However, instead of shower gel, I use a bar of moisturizing soap. Still comes wrapped in a plastic sleeve, but at least not a bottle.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Do an inventory of your kitchen to see how many single-use plastics you've used in the past. What are some resuable alternatives to these commonly used products? What would your impact be if you switched all the single-use products from your inventory to reusable?
Carolyn Barrett 7/19/2022 4:28 AM
Made a lunch salad using canned beans and corn, and barley purchased in bulk using a reusable bag, dressed with balsamic vinegar from a glass bottle. This one took some thought!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

How does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?
Carolyn Barrett 7/19/2022 4:24 AM
It benefits us all when our streets are clean.

Read More
Carolyn Barrett 7/17/2022 2:54 PM
I chose to do this because I want to learn to be more mindful of the impact my shopping choices have on my community, wildlife, and the larger world. I chose some tasks that would be pretty easy to add to my life, and that I hope will become habitual. I also chose some that will challenge me. I figure even if I make one small change in lifestyle, it will help make a difference, and perhaps lead me to make more changes in the future.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

How might styrofoam be an environmental justice and/or environmental racism issue in your community?
Carolyn Barrett 7/17/2022 2:52 PM
Good question. I tried asking Dr. Google and came up empty. I just don't know. I do know that some supermarkets that are no longer using styrofoam meat trays have shifted to - you guessed it - plastic. :-(

Read More