cathleen cox

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

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
612 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

18

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

cathleen'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!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family

Thoughtful Toys

I will only buy cloth, wooden or plant-based natural rubber toys. Or make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!

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 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

use the last drop

I find that i cannot get the last drops of creams and shampoos in squeezable containers out. When it gets to that point I cut the container in half (perpendicular to the nozzle) and can then dip out the remaining creme for successive uses. It is amazing to see how much we inadvertently toss rather than fully utilize! Using the last drop reduces the number of plastic containers used and saves $ too,

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 10
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
Family

Does your child play differently with natural or repurposed toys than with other toys? If so, how?
cathleen cox 7/31/2022 11:42 AM
We do have a nice set of wooden shapes that stand upright in a wooden base and would like to give them to one of you for your kids. Kids should be between 3 and 6 years to really enjoy placing and counting them in the holder. If this sound good to you please contact me. Thanks -- Cathleen

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cathleen cox 7/27/2022 4:36 PM
Don't know if I would call it upcycling - perhaps reusing is a better term to describe what I do re-use the thin plastic bags we use in grocery stores. When I get home I save the bag and use them to bag dog poo rather than purchasing doggie bags. If I have a surplus I put the extras in a container attached to the power pole across the street. The container has holes on the sides through which other dog-walkers who need a bag can pull one out.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle

What's a positive example of a repurposed good that you have observed in your neighborhood/city?
cathleen cox 7/27/2022 4:29 PM
Sinks and toilets the need to be replaced can be reused as outdoor plants that are very cheery with colorful flowers growing in them

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cathleen cox 7/27/2022 4:20 PM
I posted this challenge a couple of weeks ago and at that time I started separating plastic containers from which everything that could be squeezed out had been squeezed out. One of these held face wash and by separating the tube I was able to get 21 more days of use. Sure reduces the number of containers needed as well as cost.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Personal Care

What are the economic and personal benefits of switching to bar soap/shampoo/conditioner or refillable bottle options?
cathleen cox 7/25/2022 8:48 PM
I find the switch great as it represents a positive step and one I urge others to take

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?
cathleen cox 7/25/2022 8:44 PM
I find avoiding the use of plastic bags is simple and carry reusable cloth bags when shopping - only problem is if I spontaneously buy goods and don't have my trusty cloth bags close at hand.

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cathleen cox 7/16/2022 6:35 PM
Tried a shampoo bar for the 1st time and really like it. The one I used was Garnier Whole Blends which comes in a cardboard box and suds up very nicely. And, after many uses I won't be leaving hard to access drops in a plastic bottle and won't have used a plastic bottle that needs recycling. Great product!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Pets

We know you want to - tell us about why your pet is so awesome!
cathleen cox 7/14/2022 9:36 PM
Woodrow Wilson Guthrie Cox-Bain, our cockatiel, is super and responds to us with vibrant song which cheers us all - especially at moments when feeling pandemic frustrations. He came to us after being found wandering in a neighborhood with a bum foot and really adds to our household. He loves neck scratches and sometimes taps his beak on the table in time with our finger taps. Great bird.

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cathleen cox 6/23/2022 6:05 PM
I find that i cannot get the last drops of creams and shampoos in squeezable containers out. When it gets to that point I cut the container in half (perpendicular to the nozzle) and can then dip out the remaining creme for successive uses. It is amazing to see how much we inadvertently toss rather than fully utilize! Using the last drop reduces the number of plastic containers used and saves $ too,

Read More