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Marcy Gonzales's avatar

Marcy Gonzales

Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden

""The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it" Robert Swan"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,721 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    29
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    34
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    255
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    249
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    65
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    waste audit
    conducted

Marcy's actions

Community

Share My Actions

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Become a Recycling Pro

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 10 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Research Local Waste Sites

I will spend 10 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

Lifestyle

Homemade Cleaners

I will make my own cleaning products at home.

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

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 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Lifestyle

Practice Sustainable Fashion

I will spend 10 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Natural Fibers

When available, I will purchase clothing made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.

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

Lifestyle

Support a Sharing Economy

I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Practice Sustainable Fashion

I will spend 10 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

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

A Sustainable Flow

I will make the switch to sustainable, reusable period products.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Advocate for Plastic-Free Dining

I will talk to the owner or manager of a restaurant I frequent to request that they reduce their use of single-use and disposable plastics.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Better Gum

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

COMPLETED 29
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 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Dig into Bioplastics

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 4 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 8 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 30
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

Pets

DIY Cat Litter

I will swap out my cat's litter for sawdust, mulch, or dirt with baking soda.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Proper Bioplastic Disposal

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching how to properly dispose of bioplastics in my city and share this information with 4 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Personal Care

Green Beauty

When it's time to buy more, I will replace my beauty products with refillable, sustainable, and/or DIY options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 31
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

Lifestyle

Buy Only What I Need

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

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Family

Discover Together

I will spend 15 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

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?


  • Marcy Gonzales's avatar
    Marcy Gonzales 7/31/2022 6:32 PM
    Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year's Plastic Free July! I enjoyed this year just as much as the last. I've continued to educate myself on the importance of single use plastic reduction and alternatives to that work way better. We may have slipped a spot from last year, but we still did an awesome job...especially since we have near half the participants of the 3 teams ahead of us. 

  • Marcy Gonzales's avatar
    Marcy Gonzales 7/31/2022 6:32 PM
    Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year's Plastic Free July! I enjoyed this year just as much as the last. I've continued to educate myself on the importance of single use plastic reduction and alternatives to that work way better. We may have slipped a spot from last year, but we still did an awesome job...especially since we have near half the participants of the 3 teams ahead of us. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Research Local Waste Sites
    In what neighborhoods or areas of your region are landfills or other waste sites located? Which communities are most affected by these locations?

    Marcy Gonzales's avatar
    Marcy Gonzales 7/31/2022 6:22 PM
    The nearest landfill to my home is actually about 30 miles away. There isn't a predominance of ethnicities that I'm aware of, but there are some lower income housing in the vicinity. There have also been some "newer" housing additions that have sprung up over the past 10 years, which is odd considering. Whether higher or lower income, having a landfill or waste management center nearby can cause problems of all kinds; from pollution to rodents to negative effects on real-estate. 

  • Marcy Gonzales's avatar
    Marcy Gonzales 7/30/2022 8:00 PM
    I might be getting slightly addicted to shopping for reusable, recyclable, sustainably sourced, zero waste, biodegradable products. There's some really cool stuff out there.
    I definitely give more thought to what I'm purchasing and what impact it will have on the environment. 

  • Marcy Gonzales's avatar
    Marcy Gonzales 7/29/2022 7:01 PM
    I ordered Earth Breeze laundry detergent sheets at the beginning of the month, and I'm sold on them. 150 sheets came in one (recyclable) package, and I typically only have to use half a sheet (about the size of the palm of my hand) to wash a medium sized load that consists of work shirts, shorts, t-shirts, and a few jeans. I'm super happy with this change. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Advocate for Plastic-Free Dining
    What was your strategy in talking with your favorite restaurant's management? Did you find it to be effective?

    Marcy Gonzales's avatar
    Marcy Gonzales 7/27/2022 6:12 PM
    I was very nervous about this challenge, so I decided to start small. I spoke with the owner of the local Mexican restaurant where I live about having the staff not automatically give every customer a straw. We discussed the possibility of either asking if the customer would like a straw, or only handing them out if asked. The owner was very kind and open to chatting. The ball's in their court now, but I hope to see a small change the next time I eat there. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Become a Recycling Pro
    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?

    Marcy Gonzales's avatar
    Marcy Gonzales 7/27/2022 6:00 PM
    I learned that I can't put plastic bags in with my recycling, but I can take them to the facility itself. The same goes for styrofoam. The only real difficulty, which is less of a difficulty and more about convenience, is having to drive out to the facility in my area to actually drop of the bags and styrofoam.  But....at least they take them. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Pets DIY Cat Litter
    Other species can teach us important lessons about ourselves and life in general. What has your cat taught you?

    Marcy Gonzales's avatar
    Marcy Gonzales 7/26/2022 3:51 PM
    Bonnie The Cat (yes, her full title is necessary) has taught me that no matter how many kitty water fountains I buy her, she will drink ONLY from my bathroom sink. 
    Bonnie The Cat is the third feline that's commanded and demanded her way through my life. In all seriousness, though, she and her predecessors have taught me to breathe and just enjoy being in a moment. Animals are the best. 

  • Marcy Gonzales's avatar
    Marcy Gonzales 7/26/2022 11:37 AM
    I've been SO good about not using plastic straws, cups, and plates. I have used plastic utensils on a couple of occasions, but they are the ones that I wash and keep in my lunch bag. Today, though, I used a plastic straw in one of my drinks. I actually did it without realizing. The funny thing is, I intentionally didn't use the straw that came with my water. 🙄 

  • Marcy Gonzales's avatar
    Marcy Gonzales 7/24/2022 4:47 PM
    I did good Saturday evening at the Bowling for Rhinos fundraiser. Not good at the bowling part (it was embarrassing and we won't be discussing it 😆), but at purchasing beverages that came in non plastic containers. There'll be days where that might not be possible, but yesterday was a personal win.