C O'Donnell
7/31/2022 5:33 AM
I will lead by example by using reusables at work and being happy to discuss using them, brands, benefits, etc with co-workers.
July 1 - July 31, 2022
C O'Donnell
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,194 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO34advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO1.0waste auditconducted
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UP TO138plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO34conversationswith people
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UP TO176plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO46pieces of plastic cutlerynot sent to the landfill
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UP TO21plastic strawsnot sent to the landfill
C's 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.
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.
Food
Skip Plastic Bags
When possible, I will not use disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags.
Community
Share My Actions
I will make my environmental actions visible by posting to my social media networks.
Personal Care
Sustainable Suds
I will replace my soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions with a sustainable, unpackaged, or refillable option.
Food
Fill a Water Bottle
I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.
Personal Care
Say No to "Flushable Wipes"
Wipes don't break down in sewer systems, but combine with fat to create massive clogs. I will find alternatives to using disposable wipes.
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).
Food
Minimize Packaging
I will purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.
Personal Care
A Sustainable Flow
I will make the switch to sustainable, reusable period products.
Food
Use Reusable Utensils
I will keep 1 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.
Food
Use Reusables at Work
I will use reusable dishes and silverware when eating at work.
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.
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.
Pets
Using flushable cat litter
I will use flushable cat litter. This eliminates single use plastic baggies for disposing cat waste.
Personal Care
Green Beauty
When it's time to buy more, I will replace my beauty products with refillable, sustainable, and/or DIY options.
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.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFoodIt is often true that we only have control over our own actions and not the collective community. How can you lead by example when it comes to switching disposables for reusable dishes in your community?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFoodHave you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.
C O'Donnell 7/31/2022 3:42 AMI think there has been a bit of a reverse in progress since the COVID-19 pandemic. I am guilty of this as well. There were lots of messaging coming from people, organizations, etc. The zoo even gave us a reusable straw and utensils set. I kept two kinds of reusable straws on me and always used them when I got an iced coffee. But, since the pandemic, I have not heard those messages. I see some people still using theirs, but I am not hearing it from all sides like I was before. Again, I am complicit in this too, I had regressed and started using plastic straws again during the pandemic for cleanliness reasons. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunityHave you noticed a difference in how your community, friends, and family members use plastics since you've shared your own actions?
C O'Donnell 7/31/2022 3:37 AMI have noticed that they have largely unchanged their behaviors (while still commending me on my efforts). For example, I went over to my parent's for dinner two nights ago and my mom gave me leftovers in a ziplock bag and then put that into a plastic grocery bag! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunityHow might styrofoam be an environmental justice and/or environmental racism issue in your community?
C O'Donnell 7/30/2022 5:15 AMThis is quite a big question. One that I do not feel fully qualified to comment on. But, as marginalized communities are more likely to live in food deserts, be paid less on the dollar, etc., options like fast food are a more favorable option as they are less expensive. Fresh produce, more sustainably packaged foods are less accessible, more expensive and all that. This negatively impacts marginalized communities in so many levels, including their health. It is not that they do not want to be more mindful or environmentally friendly, it is about the systems in place that do not allow for them to have such access. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFoodHow difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?
C O'Donnell 7/30/2022 3:52 AMThis one was not too difficult for me. I moved to reusable bags a few years ago. It was harder actually during the early days of the pandemic when they would not let you bring them in. The plastic bags we got just take up space and make clutter in our house, not to mention all of the environmental implications. When they started to let us bring our own bags in, my wife was a little hesitant (this is before we knew that it was not living on surfaces very long), so we utilized cloth tote bags that we had gotten from events in the past and popped them in the washing machine after unloading the groceries. So easy, so clean! Now, even though we can bring in the "regular" reusable bags in, I prefer the cloth ones because they're so easy to clean! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFoodHow can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?
C O'Donnell 7/30/2022 3:45 AMDisposables tend to be the least expensive option. But, you don't necessarily have to invest in a pricey tupperware set to have a more eco-friendly storage options. Instead, you can reuse the plastic take out bins from the restaurant, store things in a glass pasta sauce jar after you're done with it, etc.! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLifestyleWhat is the benefit of using bar soaps or refilling your travel sized containers? Is this an action you think you will keep in your life?
C O'Donnell 7/29/2022 5:24 AMBar soap and shampoos are great for travel! They do not take up much space and you don't have to worry about them exploding while in flight. Not only did I use to buy travel sized soaps and shampoos, but I also used to put them in a single use plastic bag to contain the potential mess. Bars eliminated two kinds of plastic waste for me! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONPersonal CareDisposable tampons and menstrual pads are often quite expensive. What are the economic and personal benefits of this switch for you?
C O'Donnell 7/26/2022 5:27 AMUsing a cup definitely has economic benefits. But, it also gives me peace of mind. I no longer have to worry about running out of tampons, buying more at the store, having enough of the correct sizes, etc.
I also don't have to worry about replacing tampons in my various stashes (ex - car, work bag, etc.) now I just have a cup at home and one in my work bag and I'm always covered!
When it comes to travelling, it takes up a lot less space in my toiletries bag than all of those tampons! -
C O'Donnell 7/25/2022 9:21 AMPlastic free July is such a great challenge to participate in. Each year I've learned something new and gained new ways to easily skip on plastic. I am so glad The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore participates in this, otherwise I would have never known about it. Winning the last two years has given me a lot of pride. I hope we do it again this year! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONPersonal CareHow can you advocate for the importance of reducing packaging to the rest of your friends, family and larger community?
C O'Donnell 7/19/2022 12:32 PMShampoo bars are great! They're refillable and don't use plastic to begin with. They're also super easy to travel with too and you don't have to worry about them "exploding" during flight. No more mess!