Ana Chew

National Aquarium

"To inspire change, no matter how small "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
334 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

waste audit

conducted
UP TO

9.0

pieces of plastic cutlery

not sent to the landfill

Ana's actions

Pets

Thrifty Pets

I will find secondhand sources for my pet's water/food dishes, collars or leashes.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Beach cleanup

I will spend at least 15 minutes cleaning up trash I find on the beach.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Pets

Rubber Glove Pet Hair Removal

I will use a rubber glove to remove pet hair from clothes, carpets and furniture.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Coffee waste

I will find a reusable coffee filter to replace the disposable paper ones. I found that I throw away coffee filters once if not twice a day, finding a reusable alternative can cut back on a lot of the waste I produce

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Homemade Cleaners

I will make my own cleaning products at home.

UNCOMPLETED
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.

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

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 2 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Better Gum

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

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Clean slate

I will work to cut back on the amount of disposable makeup wipes that I use. I wear makeup almost everyday, and using at least 1 wipe a day can really start to add up

COMPLETED 4
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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

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?
Ana Chew 7/19/2022 8:05 AM
I like to use reusable cutlery in my own life, and try to get my own household to do the same. I would say that the biggest way to advocate for using reusables would be in the workplace. Most of the community has a place to go during the day, like school or work. Encouraging them to take their own silverware or leaving some at their destination is a great way to combat this issue. I think a great way to convince them would be to ask them to count how many pieces they use in a week and put into perspective on just how many they are using. Hopefully this can inspire some change.

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Ana Chew 7/15/2022 12:00 PM
Farmers markets are a great way to support your local farmers and cut down on your plastic waste. Most of the time the produce or goods that we buy at markets are not packaged in plastic, or maybe not packaged at all! This is a great way to combat commercial plastic packaging, and can really help out with my plastic free meal that I want to make this month.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Why do you chew gum? What habits could replace and meet your reasons for chewing gum?
Ana Chew 7/08/2022 8:30 AM
I chew gum to keep my mouth busy. I have a terrible habit of chewing or biting at my cuticles and chewing gum helps me stay occupied so I don't reach for my hands to chew instead. Instead of keeping my mouth busy, I can keep my hands busy instead. I recently bought a fidget toy, that I have found to be really helpful as well. Another good thing is that its reusable, I can just keep it on me at all times and never have to throw it away like a gum wrapper.

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Ana Chew 7/08/2022 8:17 AM
I think its silly to make fun or poke fun at someone who is trying their best to save our planet. I don't know when it became uncool to be an environmentalist. The biggest challenge I'm having is trying to get my family to see why I care so much. its easy for our team to understand the importance of saving the earth, but to the normal general public, it might not be so clear. I tend to be the butt end of the jokes because I'm branded a "hippie" or a "tree hugger", but I say so what? I think being an environmentalist is the coolest thing you can be. Id like to try and take that stigma away, by showing folks that it doesn't have to be dorky, and you don't have to give up your current lifestyle to make meaningful changes.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Personal Care

What have you noticed about the economic and social impact of switching to steel razors? Was there ever really a need for disposable razors, or do you think it was just a way to sell more things?
Ana Chew 7/08/2022 8:11 AM
It is so much easier to use steel razors. Not only do you get a closer shave, you are saving so much money. I was able to get a steel razor that comes with 50 blades for only $12!!! A razor that can last me a whole year for only a fraction of what it would cost to keep rebuying disposable ones. Not only do I feel better about my shave, I also get to feel better about the environment at well. I don't have to throw away those plastic ones anymore, which has cut down on a lot of waste! I honestly don't think there was ever a need for disposable razors. They are able to make them cheap and easily and at a crazy profit margin. We are told to believe that's its easier to use disposable, when its really no different at all.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Pets

We know you want to - tell us about why your pet is so awesome!
Ana Chew 7/07/2022 10:20 AM
My cat is the best little thing there is. She is so cuddly and outspoken when she wants to be. she is around 14 years old now and it definitely shows. She's a tiny old woman trapped in a cats body. She loves to lay in the sun, and eat her wet food. She can have the slightest bit of an attitude when you start to push her buttons, but always follows it up with kisses. Now that its summer time and she is starting to shed her coat, this mit will come in handy. Not only do I think lint rollers are incredibly wasteful, I don't think they work that well either. Now that I'm able to find a reusable alternative that works even better, I'm never going back.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Pets

How does buying used differ from buying new? How does each purchasing decision make you feel?
Ana Chew 7/07/2022 10:17 AM
There are so many differences between buying new and used, the cost being the most obvious. Usually used items tend to be cheaper than new, just because of the slight wear and tear they accumulate. That also means that some of the used items may not be suitable for further use. If they are too far gone, then it can become hazardous to use them. I think that when I buy second hand I feel hopeful. I love to think about an items life before me, and after me.

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Ana Chew 7/07/2022 10:13 AM
Over the holiday weekend my family and I took a trip to Bethany Beach off the Delaware shore. While I was there I engaged in a mini beach cleanup by myself. There was lots of Styrofoam and plastic from a boogie board that had seen better days scattered all along the sand by the water edge. I chose to clean it up because it was an easy thing to do. I wasn't planning on doing a beach cleanup that day, but it kind of turned into one. I think this is the best way to do community cleanups in your personal life. I was already at the beach, why not pick up some plastic/trash while I'm there anyway!

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- Ginni La Rosa-Ponsini 7/07/2022 12:32 PM
  Awesome! I'm headed to the Outer Banks this Saturday with family, so I will keep an eye out for opportunities to clean up if there's anything nearby!
  
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