Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2022

July 1 - July 31, 2022

Santos Guevara

Team ECOS

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
605 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

34

public officials or leaders

contacted
UP TO

1.0

community event

hosted or attended
UP TO

2.0

advocacy actions

completed
UP TO

126

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

22

conversations

with people
UP TO

60

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

99

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

1.0

donation

made
UP TO

103

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

79

pieces of plastic cutlery

not sent to the landfill

Santos's actions

Food

Fill a Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 25
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use a Reusable Mug

If possible, I will avoid sending 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own travel cup.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Family

Discover Together

I will spend 20 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

COMPLETED
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

Community

Pick Up the Phone

I will make 2 phone call(s) per day to a public official or company to advocate for planet-friendly policies.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 3 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 25
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Pearly Whites

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Host a Watch Party

I will host a watch party with friends and/or colleagues to watch and discuss a movie about plastics.

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 15 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

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

Community

Dig into Bioplastics

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Advocate For Better Food Packaging

I will advocate for alternatives to single use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, or work.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 20
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 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Raise Money For a Nonprofit

I will raise money to support a nonprofit dedicated to plastic pollution reduction.

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

Homemade Pet Treats

I will prepare my own pet treats to avoid plastic packaging.

COMPLETED 20
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
Lifestyle

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.
Santos Guevara 7/06/2022 3:12 PM
About a month ago, we had a small tornado hit my neighborhood in Anaheim CA. I marveled at the power of the cyclone moving my fruit trees almost to the breaking point. After the tornado had moved from my house I ran outside and looked up to the sky. I was dismayed at the amount of plastic bags littering the sky being taken up and going around in a circular motion. This was almost cool until I realized all the plastic bags laying around in my neighborhood alone, this saddened me.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

Besides having access to fresh herbs and vegetables, what benefits will you see from growing your own garden?
Santos Guevara 7/06/2022 2:28 PM
The most pleasant benefit gardening brings me is peace at heart. Gardening to me is a time of meditation and inspiration.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

What did you learn about bioplastic production and disposal? Did anything surprise you? Are bioplastics accepted by your city's waste management?
Santos Guevara 7/06/2022 2:26 PM
I learned that most bioplastics although can be recycled, they are thrown in the trash. The reason for this is that most local recycling centers do not support or are not equipped to recycle it.

Read More